First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
luminous
adjective lu·mi·nous \ˈlü-mə-nəs\
: producing or seeming to produce light
: filled with light : brightly lit
: very bright in color
Full Definition of LUMINOUS
1
a : emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light b : of or relating to light or to luminous flux
2
: bathed in or exposed to steady light <luminous with sunlight>
3
4
: shining, illustrious <a luminous film star> <a luminous performance>
— lu·mi·nous·ly adverb
— lu·mi·nous·ness noun
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Origin of LUMINOUS
Middle English, from Latin luminosus, from lumin-, lumen
Related to LUMINOUS
Synonym Discussion of 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.
Rhymes with LUMINOUS
LUMINOUSNESS Defined for Kids
luminous
adjective lu·mi·nous \ˈlü-mə-nəs\
Definition of LUMINOUS for Kids
: giving off light <The dial of the clock was luminous and it shed a very soft green light. — George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square>
— lu·mi·nous·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary
luminous
adjective lu·mi·nous \ˈlü-mə-nəs\
Medical Definition of LUMINOUS
1
: emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light
2
: of or relating to light or to luminous flux
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