luminous

[loo-muh-nuhs]

adjective

1. radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright.

   Synonyms: brilliant, resplendent, radiant, lucid
   Antonyms: dark

2. lighted up or illuminated; well-lighted.

   the luminous ballroom.

   Antonyms: dark

3. brilliant intellectually; enlightened or enlightening, as a writer or a writer's works.

   a luminous concept; luminous prose.

   Synonyms: intelligent, bright
   Antonyms: stupid

4. clear; readily intelligible.

   a concise, luminous report.

   Synonyms: lucid, perspicuous, understandable
   Antonyms: obscure

luminous

/ ˈluːmɪnəs /

adjective

1. radiating or reflecting light; shining; glowing

   luminous colours

2. (not in technical use) exhibiting luminescence

   luminous paint

3. full of light; well-lit

4. (of a physical quantity in photometry) evaluated according to the visual sensation produced in an observer rather than by absolute energy measurements Compare radiant

   luminous flux

   luminous intensity

5. easily understood; lucid; clear

6. enlightening or wise

Other Word Forms

• luminously adverb
• luminousness noun
• nonluminous adjective
• nonluminously adverb
• nonluminousness noun
• self-luminous adjective
• semiluminous adjective
• semiluminously adverb
• semiluminousness noun
• unluminous adjective
• unluminously adverb
• unluminousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminous¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word lūminōsus. See lumen, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminous¹

C15: from Latin lūminōsus full of light, from lūmen light

Example Sentences

But this year the peak coincides with a bright Sturgeon Moon, which reached its full phase on 9 August and will still be quite luminous during the peak.

From BBC

Mr Morris was cycling in front of her, to the left of the carriageway, and was wearing a green luminous top.

From BBC

The luminous black abstraction dominating the surface was visibly painted after the figures, which feel like they are being held in its embrace.

From Los Angeles Times

“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity,” the statement continued.

From Los Angeles Times

Boo, who spent three years at the slum, emphasizes family ties and writes luminously about the daily struggles of Mumbai’s poor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brilliant 
• incandescent 
• lucid 
• lustrous 
• radiant 
• shining 
• translucent 
• vivid