luminous
/ˈluː.mɪ.nəs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Giving off light, or shining with a bright, soft light. It can also describe something that looks very bright or clear.
- The moon looked luminous above the sea.
- Her dress was luminous in the dark room.
- The painting had a luminous glow.
Adinary Nuance
Luminous is stronger and more visual than bright. Use luminous for a soft, glowing light, not just general light or cleverness. It often sounds more descriptive and literary than shiny, glowing, or bright. In writing, it can make a scene feel calm, clean, or magical.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phát sáng
- Spanish
- luminoso
- Chinese
- 发光的
- Japanese
- 輝く
- Korean
- 빛나는
Etymology
Luminous comes from Latin luminosus, from lumen meaning 'light'. It entered English in the late Middle Ages through French and Latin learning.
Common phrases
luminous skinluminous glowluminous eyesluminous moonlight
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is luminous formal or informal?
- It is slightly formal and often used in writing, descriptions, and reviews.
- What is the difference between luminous and bright?
- Bright is general. Luminous suggests a softer, glowing kind of light.
- Can I use luminous for a person?
- Yes. It can describe glowing skin, eyes, or a lively, beautiful appearance.
- Is luminous common in everyday speech?
- It is understood, but people say bright or glowing more often in speech.