luster

1 of 3

noun (1)

lus·​ter ˈlə-stər 

variants or lustre

1

: a glow of reflected light : sheen

specifically : the appearance of the surface of a mineral dependent upon its reflecting qualities

the luster of polished metal

2

a

: a glow of light from within : luminosity

the luster of the stars

b

: an inner beauty : radiance

3

: a superficial (see superficial sense 2a) attractiveness or appearance of excellence

scandals have diminished his luster

4

a

: a glass pendant (see pendant sense 1a) used especially to ornament a candlestick or chandelier

b

: a decorative object (such as a chandelier) hung with glass pendants

5

chiefly British : a fabric with cotton warp and a filling of wool, mohair, or alpaca

6

: lusterware

lusterless

ˈlə-stər-ləs 

adjective

luster

2 of 3

verb

variants or lustre

lustered or lustred; lustering or lustring ˈlə-st(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to have luster : gleam

transitive verb

1

: to give luster or distinction to

2

: to coat or treat with a substance that imparts luster

luster

3 of 3

noun (2)

variants or lustre

: a period of five years : lustrum sense 2

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• burnish
• gloss
• luminance
• polish
• sheen
• shine

Verb

• coruscate
• flame
• flash
• glance
• gleam
• glimmer
• glint
• glisten
• glister
• glitter
• scintillate
• shimmer
• spangle
• sparkle
• twinkle
• wink
• winkle

Examples of luster in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the Hope diamond is famous for its brilliant luster

on a clear night at sea the stars seem to take on a magical luster

Verb

her pearl necklace lustered softly in the candlelight of the restaurant

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The best oil for gray hair lends a little luster where Mother Nature has lost her touch. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2024

Today, 10 California restaurants woke up feeling a little more golden—while a handful have lost some of their luster. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2024

While the major evening news broadcasts are still a big ratings draw compared to other linear television news programs, the broadcasts have lost much of their luster in an increasingly fractured digital news environment that has upended the industry. —Hadas Gold, CNN, 30 July 2024

Choose your plan → MOST READ Sports 1 The miracle of 1984: How Los Angeles saved the dying Olympics 3 Have the Olympics lost their luster? —Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustro, from lustrare to brighten, from Latin, to purify ceremonially, from lustrum

Verb

verbal derivative of luster entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English lustre, from Latin lustrum

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1528, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

luster

noun

lus·​ter

variants or lustre

ˈləs-tər

1

: a shine or sheen especially from reflected light : gloss

2

: sparkling brilliance

3

: glory entry 1 sense 1a, splendor

the luster of a famous name

lusterless

-tər-ləs

adjective

lustrous

-trəs

adjective