luminous
adjective
lu·mi·nous
ˈlü-mə-nəs 
1
a
: emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light
… luminous objects—the nebula, the stars, the planets …—
Lincoln La Paz
Lincoln La Paz
b
: of or relating to light or to luminous flux
2
: bathed in or exposed to steady light
luminous with sunlight
3
: clear, enlightening
a luminous explanation
4
: shining, illustrious
a luminous film star
a luminous performance
luminously
adverb
luminousness
noun
Did you know?
Luminous, like its synonyms radiant, shining, glowing, and lustrous, is generally a positive adjective, especially when it describes something that doesn't literally glow, such as a face, a performance, or a poem. Luminous signs depend on a gas such as neon, krypton, argon, xenon, or radon—and you can use luminous (DayGlo) paint to make your own signs. New technologies have now given us luminous fabrics, which are being used to produce striking or creepy effects in clothing, upholstery, and interior surfaces.
Examples of luminous in a Sentence
I saw the cat's luminous eyes in my car's headlights.
a watch with a luminous dial
The room was luminous with sunlight.
Recent Examples on the Web
This velvety take on the trend has a luminous, eye-catching finish that shines bright on its own.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
The life of the rural region is framed in airy and luminous wide-screen images that recur with a lyrical vision of vast arcs of time amid dramatic social change.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Across recent Instagram posts, The Little Mermaid star has been leaning into luminous skin that looks hydrated, fresh, and intentionally sheer, allowing freckles and natural dimension to shine through.
—Akili King, Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
Depending on the light, the surface seems to shift, at times appearing almost luminous, at others dissolving into shadow.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminous
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
The life of the rural region is framed in airy and luminous wide-screen images that recur with a lyrical vision of vast arcs of time amid dramatic social change.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Across recent Instagram posts, The Little Mermaid star has been leaning into luminous skin that looks hydrated, fresh, and intentionally sheer, allowing freckles and natural dimension to shine through.
—Akili King, Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
Depending on the light, the surface seems to shift, at times appearing almost luminous, at others dissolving into shadow.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminous
Cite this Entry
“Luminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminous. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
luminous
adjective
lu·mi·nous
ˈlü-mə-nəs
1
: giving off light : shining
2
: being lighted
a public square luminous with sunlight
3
: clear entry 1 sense 3
luminous writing
4
luminously
adverb
luminousness
noun
Medical Definition
luminous
adjective
lu·mi·nous
ˈlü-mə-nəs
1
: emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light
2
: of or relating to light or to luminous flux
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
