lustrous

adjective

lus·​trous ˈlə-strəs 

1

: reflecting light evenly and efficiently without glitter or sparkle

a lustrous satin

the lustrous glow of an opal

2

: radiant in character or reputation : illustrious

set a lustrous example for others to follow

—Russell Grenfell

lustrously adverb

lustrousness noun

Synonyms

• beaming
• bedazzling
• bright
• brilliant
• candescent
• clear
• dazzling
• effulgent
• fulgent
• glowing
• incandescent
• lambent
• lucent
• lucid
• luminous
• radiant
• refulgent
• sheeny
• shining
• shiny
• splendid

Choose the Right Synonym for lustrous

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.

Examples of lustrous in a Sentence

the lustrous finish on the satin bedspread adds to the feeling of luxury

lustrous silver jewelry adorned her neck

Recent Examples on the Web

Mary’s hair—once long and lustrous, a lifelong point of pride—was matted to her head, Carlin noticed. —Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

In a lustrous dupioni fabric, its sleeveless design has two pockets on the side to keep things feeling casual, but also has no shortage of flirty attitude, thanks to the two bows with adorable pleats down the backside. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025

The web-like blue and gold dial is housed in a 40mm case made of tantalum, a very hard, ductile, lustrous, blue-gray transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

This lustrous airy silk gown with sheer panels along the chest and the back is not only the dreamiest take on a slip dress, but an obvious choice for a minimalist. —Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1