荧光（fluorescence）是一种光致冷发光现象。当某种常温物质经某种波长的入射光（通常是紫外线或X射线）照射，吸收光能后进入激发态，并且立即退激发并发出出射光（通常波长比入射光的的波长长，在可见光波段）；而且一旦停止入射光，发光现象也随之立即消失。具有这种性质的出射光就被称之为荧光。一般以持续发光时间来分辨荧光或磷光，持续发光时间短于10秒的称为荧光，持续发光时间长于10秒的称为磷光。在日常生活中，人们通常广义地把各种微弱的光亮都称为荧光，而不去仔细追究和区分其发光原理。

Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation. The most striking example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and thus invisible to the human eye, while the emitted light is in the visible region, which gives the fluorescent substance a distinct color that can only be seen when exposed to UV light. However, unlike phosphorescence, where the substance would continue to glow and emit light for some time after the radiation source has been turned off, fluorescent materials would cease to glow immediately upon removal of the excitation source. Hence, it is not a persistent phenomenon.