Definition of luminous
1a : emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light luminous objects—the nebula. the stars, the planets — Lincoln La Pazb : of or relating to light or to luminous flux
2 : bathed in or exposed to steady light luminous with sunlight
3 : clear, enlightening a luminous explanation
4 : shining, illustrious a luminous film star a luminous performance
luminously
adverbluminousness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of luminous in a Sentence
I saw the cat's luminous eyes in my car's headlights.
a watch with a luminous dial
The room was luminous with sunlight.
Recent Examples of luminous from the Web
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His work evolved from somber images based on vintage photographs to landscapes and still lifes in aggressively luminous pastel hues before achieving his mature style.
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Marianne Faithfull’s ‘Memories, Dreams and Reflections’ is a gem; her luminous words light up the book’s portraits and events in the way ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’ is illumined by Renoir’s colors.
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By mid-month, the planet is slightly less luminous at -4.3 magnitude — which ain’t too shabby.
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At the exhibit, upon entering a comfortably dark gallery, you're greeted by four hanging luminous screens displaying the heads of people talking amongst themselves.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'luminous'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Luminous, like its synonyms radiant, shining, glowing, and lustrous, is generally a positive adjective, especially when it describes something that doesn't literally glow, such as a face, a performance, or a poem. Luminous signs depend on a gas such as neon, krypton, argon, xenon, or radon—and you can use luminous (DayGlo) paint to make your own signs. New technologies have now given us luminous fabrics, which are being used to produce striking or creepy effects in clothing, upholstery, and interior surfaces.
Origin and Etymology of luminous
Middle English, from Latin luminosus, from lumin-, lumen
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of luminous
LUMINOUS Defined for English Language Learners
luminous
playDefinition of luminous for English Language Learners
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: producing or seeming to produce light
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: filled with light : brightly lit
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: very bright in color
LUMINOUS Defined for Kids
luminous
playDefinition of luminous for Students
: giving off light The dial of the clock was luminous and it shed a very soft green light. — George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square
luminously
adverbMedical Dictionary
luminous
playMedical Definition of luminous
1: emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light
2: of or relating to light or to luminous flux
Learn More about luminous
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See words that rhyme with luminous Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for luminous Spanish Central: Translation of luminous Nglish: Translation of luminous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of luminous for Arabic speakers
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