LUMINOUS Synonyms: 230 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'luminous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of luminous are bright , brilliant , lustrous , and radiant . While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bright' instead of 'luminous'?

In some situations, the words bright and luminous are roughly equivalent. However, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

Q: When is 'brilliant' a more appropriate choice than 'luminous'?

Although the words brilliant and luminous have much in common, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

Q: When can 'lustrous' be used instead of 'luminous'?

While the synonyms lustrous and luminous are close in meaning, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

Q: In what contexts can 'radiant' take the place of 'luminous'?

The words radiant and luminous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

luminous

adjective

ˈlü-mə-nəs

Definition of luminous next

as in glowing

giving off or reflecting much light the luminous moon bathed the snow-covered fields with a pearly glow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement some of the most luminous writers in the nation's history have graced that magazine's pages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unmistakable

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation an author with a simple, luminous prose style that is free of affectation and pretention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective luminous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of luminous are bright, brilliant, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When is it sensible to use bright instead of luminous?

In some situations, the words bright and luminous are roughly equivalent. However, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is brilliant a more appropriate choice than luminous?

Although the words brilliant and luminous have much in common, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When can lustrous be used instead of luminous?

While the synonyms lustrous and luminous are close in meaning, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

In what contexts can radiant take the place of luminous?

The words radiant and luminous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of luminous Infused with hydrating ingredients that make the skin cells plump and juicy, these face moisturizers help your skin reflect light and lend a more luminous look. —

Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024 Like the billions of too-faint-to-see stars collectively melding to create the Milky Way’s luminous glow in our sky, these distant galaxies combine their ultradim light to make what astronomers call the cosmic optical background. —

Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024 Hues echo the orchestra: the black and whites of the keyboard; the softer nudes, sandy beiges, and light browns of the strings followed by navy and luminous gold of the brass. —

Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Shot in luminous black and white, with an experimental score by Stewart Copeland, Rumble Fish reduces the conflict to pure abstraction and allows sight and sound to fill in the gaps. —

Scott Tobias, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for luminous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminous

Adjective

The Rankin-Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer features Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, who tells viewers the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who is mocked by his fellow reindeer for his glowing red nose.

Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Nov. 2024
Those who experience uneven texture in their complexion will love how the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream leaves skin smooth and glowing.

Jessie Quinn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024