noun
luminol
LYOO-mih-nol
Luminol (noun) means a chemical compound that glows blue when it reacts with certain oxidizing agents, widely used by forensic investigators to detect trace blood. Example: “The crime scene technician sprayed luminol across the floorboards, revealing faint blue streaks under UV light.”
noun
1
A chemical compound that glows blue when it reacts with certain oxidizing agents, widely used by forensic investigators to detect trace blood.
"The crime scene technician sprayed luminol across the floorboards, revealing faint blue streaks under UV light."
verb
1
To test a surface or sample with luminol in order to find hidden traces of blood.
"The State Police come in later and find this stuff, but you know where they don't find any blood is in Omar Evans's office. They luminoled that whole place, and nothing."
— Rebecca Makkai, I Have Some Questions for You (2024)
"Investigators luminoled the entire apartment after the carpet had clearly been scrubbed clean."
"The Dassey garage was never luminoled or checked for forensic evidence of any type; blood found between the Dassey garage and residence was never tested."
— John Ferak, Wrecking Crew: Demolishing The Case Against Steven Avery (2023)
"He sighs. "The cops luminoled everyone at the hospital right after they got there. They all came out clean as a whistle.""
— Antoinette van Heugten, Saving Max (2021)
How to use luminol
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blood-detecting chemical used in forensic science, and informally a verb for using it.
Common pairings
spray luminol
test with luminol
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like luminol.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- luminols
- Third person singular
- luminols
- Past tense
- luminoled, luminolled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crime scene technician sprayed _____ across the floorboards, revealing faint blue streaks under UV light.
Etymology
The compound was first described in a 1934 chemistry paper; the informal verb usage developed decades later, popularized by crime shows.
Class of 1934
luminol joined the language around 1934.
See the full Class of 1934 →
Rhymes for luminol
See all rhymes for luminol →Frequently asked questions
What does “luminol” mean?
The word “luminol” means a chemical compound that glows blue when it reacts with certain oxidizing agents, widely used by forensic investigators to detect trace blood. In plain terms, a blood-detecting chemical used in forensic science, and informally a verb for using it.
How do you pronounce “luminol”?
“Luminol” is pronounced LYOO-mih-nol (/ˈluːmɪnɒl/ in IPA).
How do you use “luminol” in a sentence?
Here is “luminol” used in a sentence: “The crime scene technician sprayed luminol across the floorboards, revealing faint blue streaks under UV light.”
What part of speech is “luminol”?
Depending on how it is used, “luminol” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “luminol” come from?
The word “luminol” dates back to around 1934. The compound was first described in a 1934 chemistry paper; the informal verb usage developed decades later, popularized by crime shows.
How many meanings does “luminol” have?
“Luminol” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical compound that glows blue when it reacts with certain oxidizing agents, widely used by forensic investigators to detect trace blood.
