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 of lustrous

• luminous
• dazzling
• shining
• glowing
• shiny
• bright
• radiant
• gleaming
• brilliant
• shimmering

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

The gown was crafted with lustrous metallic threads, giving an illusion appearance of chainmail-style fabric. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

The lustrous surfaces hide moral horrors, silence emotional terrors, and block out the filth beyond their boundaries. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026

The baby pink shoes are made from a lustrous satin and feature two adjustable buckle straps. —Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026

Nuccio’s favorite camellia is Nuccio’s Pearl, a japonica whose white petals transition to pink at their edges with foliage that is a deep, lustrous green. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1