luminous

adjective

lu·mi·nous | \ ˈlü-mə-nəs

Definition of luminous

1a : emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light luminous objects—the nebula, the stars, the planets— Lincoln La Paz

b : 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

Other Words from luminous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about luminous

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Choose the Right Synonym for luminous

bright, brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

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.

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 on the Web

Everybody Knows is a classy-looking thing: It was shot by master Spanish cinematographer José Luis Alcaine, and sections of it take place in a church bell-tower whose key feature is a luminous clock face. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Cannes 2018 Opens with a Middling Movie But a Killer Jury," 9 May 2018 Carey's flawless skin was as luminous as the glittering sequins on her dress. — Seventeen Magazine, Seventeen, "Recreate Carey Mulligan's MET Gala Look!," 8 May 2012 This produces what are called luminous accreting black holes. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Galaxy mergers hide ravenous supermassive black holes," 14 Nov. 2018 Another way to get even more bang for your (surprisingly small) buck? Dab the stuff on your highlight points to give you powder highlighter a glossier, more luminous glow. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Selena Gomez’s Makeup Artist Mixes Aquaphor with Eyeshadow," 19 Sep. 2018 In the 1960s, Buren began a long and luminous riff on conceptual work, often incorporating what has become signature vertical stripes. — Shonquis Moreno, Curbed, "‘If you take out the art, the building itself can’t stand’," 6 Aug. 2018 Twelve minutes leaves my face luminous and much firmer. — Glamour Beauty Editors, Glamour, "18 Genius Tips for Glowing Skin," 2 Aug. 2018 At the bright center of the Tarantula Nebula is the giant star cluster NGC 2070, whose core holds some of the largest and most luminous stars humans have ever observed, according to a statement from ESO. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, "A Tarantula and Seahorse Make Up These Dazzling Nebulas," 30 May 2018 Book in winter through Frontiers International Travel, when the lodge fire is roaring and the landscape is at its most luminous and silent. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Where to Go When You Just Want to Be Alone," 7 Sep. 2018

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.