luminosity

noun

lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnä-sə-tē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
a
: the quality or state of being luminous
b
: something luminous
2
a
: the relative quantity of light
b
: relative brightness of something
3
: the relative quantity of radiation emitted by a celestial source (such as a star)

Examples of luminosity in a Sentence

the luminosity of the fireflies made for an enchanting nighttime show
Recent Examples on the Web Glycerin and vitamin C work to hydrate skin and add luminosity, while SPF 40 offers protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 The luminosity and depth of these images is increasingly a rarity in photography, now dominated by the flat, brilliant precision of digital printing. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024 While Eileen trudges through the crunching snow, Rebecca seems to float on air—a chain-smoking, martini-swilling Harvard graduate who has the luminosity of an Old Hollywood movie star, and looks distinctly out of place in the prison’s dreary corridors and backroom offices. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023 According to the authors, the previously unknown luminosity in these 10 deep-sea species suggests that sea cucumbers are more diverse than scientists once believed. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Nov. 2023 To fight uneven luminosity loss among pixels caused by aging, a long compensation adjusts the voltage of the monitor's pixels to even things out. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023 The spots begin to move, and slip-sliding traceries of luminosity explode. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 On the other hand, bronzers with a radiant finish such as the Sisley Paris Phyto-Blush Twist usually include micro glitters and purposefully reflect light off of your skin to enhance your natural luminosity. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023 Skin maintained its luminosity with a simple regimen: complexion, brow gel, and gloss to the eyes and cheeks. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luminosity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of luminosity was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near luminosity

Cite this Entry

“Luminosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminosity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

luminosity

noun
lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
: the quality or state of being luminous : brightness
2
: something luminous

Medical Definition

luminosity

noun
lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
: the quality or state of being luminous
2
a
: the relative quantity of light
b
: the comparative degree to which light of a given wavelength induces the sensation of brightness when perceived

More from Merriam-Webster on luminosity

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