luminary

noun

lu·mi·nary ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē

plural luminaries

Synonyms of luminary next

: a person of prominence or brilliant achievement

a literary luminary

a luminary in the medical profession

: a body that gives light

especially : one of the celestial bodies

skywatchers … will see one more bright luminary below Orion and Canis Major —

Martin Ratcliffe

luminary adjective

Did you know?

Allow us to shed some light on luminary. It came to English by way of Anglo-French and Late Latin, and it traces back to the Latin word lumen, meaning "light." Other lumen descendants in English include illuminate ("to light up"), luminous ("emitting light") and phillumenist ("one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels"). Luminary has been shining its light in English since the 15th century.

Example Sentences

luminaries of the art world awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky

Recent Examples on the Web While the city has always been a centerpiece for American celebrity culture, its luminaries have changed — or, at least, their playing field has expanded. —

Marie Lodi, CNN, 11 May 2023 Many shows were biographical, about luminaries like Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson and Pocahontas. —

Daniel E. Slotnik, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023 His success landed him a spot on Barron’s All-Century team in 2000—a group of 25 fund managers that includes such investment luminaries as Peter Lynch and John Templeton. —

Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023 In Catching Lightning, MMA luminaries like Anderson Silva and Chuck Liddell line up to tell Murray stories, along with Murray’s trainers, peers, and friends. —

Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2023 The coronation of King Charles III was attended by members of the British royal family, prime ministers, presidents, foreign royals, global luminaries—and plenty of celebrities. —

Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 May 2023 Last May, then-governor Charlie Baker, UMass president Marty Meehan, Representative Richie Neal and other luminaries gathered at the UMass Club to map out a strategy to bring ARPA-H here. —

Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2023 This list of luminaries has supernova potential starting with Super Bowl Champions Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning. —

Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 1 May 2023 Suppose the existing punk luminaries had made kitschy keyboard music — hyperpop — instead. —

M.t. Richards, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English luminarye, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French luminaire light, luminary, from Late Latin luminaria, plural of luminare lamp, heavenly body, from Latin, window, from lumin-, lumen light; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of luminary was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century