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

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

To test a surface or sample with luminol in order to find hidden traces of blood.

"Investigators luminoled the entire apartment after the carpet had clearly been scrubbed clean."

How to use luminol

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA blood-detecting chemical used in forensic science, and informally a verb for using it.

Common pairings

spray luminol test with luminol

Word forms

luminoled past tense, luminolled past tense, luminols plural, luminols singular

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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.

· First attested 1934

Class of 1934 luminol joined the language around 1934.

graviton jitterbug

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Rhymes for luminol

retinol

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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.