Synonyms of lustrous

lustrous

adjective

ˈlə-strəs 

1

as in luminous

giving off or reflecting much light

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• luminous
• dazzling
• shining
• glowing
• shiny
• bright
• radiant
• gleaming
• brilliant
• shimmering
• sparkling
• splendid
• refulgent
• effulgent
• glistening
• glittering
• flickering
• flashing
• incandescent
• lambent
• lucid
• blazing
• lucent
• polished
• clear
• fulgent
• sheeny
• candescent
• fiery
• bedazzling
• burning
• beaming
• blinding
• shined
• flaming
• shimmery
• sunny
• burnished
• ardent
• twinkling
• scintillant
• scintillating
• red-hot
• glimmering
• glancing
• gemmy
• glaring
• glinting
• winking
• flaring
• glistering
• agleam
• aglitter
• combusting
• coruscant
• ultrabright
• ablaze
• superbright

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• dim
• dark
• lackluster
• dusky
• blackened
• obscure
• sombre
• darkened
• somber
• gloomy
• darkish
• murky
• darkling
• darksome
• obscured
• unlit
• pitch-black
• lightless
• shadowy
• dimmed
• gray
• pitch-dark
• pale
• cloudy
• grey
• unbright
• unbrilliant
• shady
• tenebrous
• leaden
• sunless
• shadowlike
• palish

2

as in polished

having a shiny surface or finish

lustrous silver jewelry adorned her neck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polished
• glistening
• glossy
• sleek
• satin
• gleaming
• burnished
• rubbed
• satiny
• silky
• glittering
• buffed
• shining
• reflective
• brushed
• glazed
• silken
• lacquered
• glassy
• varnished
• slick
• slippery
• semigloss
• semilustrous
• eggshell
• shellacked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• dim
• flat
• mat
• lusterless
• matte
• lackluster
• matt
• unvarnished

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lustrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lustrous are bright, brilliant, luminous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might bright be a better fit than lustrous?

The words bright and lustrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When would brilliant be a good substitute for lustrous?

While the synonyms brilliant and lustrous are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When is luminous a more appropriate choice than lustrous?

The synonyms luminous and lustrous are sometimes interchangeable, but luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When could radiant be used to replace lustrous?

The words radiant and lustrous can be used in similar contexts, but radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lustrous

An 18/0 contains no nickel and is generally considered more prone to spotting and less lustrous but is great for people with nickel allergies or looking for more budget-friendly options. —Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025

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