adjective
Uncommon
luminous
LOO-mih-nuhs
Luminous (adjective) means giving off light; glowing. Example: “The watch face is luminous in the dark.”
adjective
1
Giving off light; glowing.
"The watch face is luminous in the dark."
"A luminous full moon lit up the garden."
2
Clear and easy to understand; strikingly lucid.
"Her essay offered a luminous account of the crisis."
How to use luminous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGlowing with light, or (of writing/explanation) unusually clear and illuminating.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
luminous paint
luminous glow
luminous prose
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more luminous
- Superlative
- most luminous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The watch face is _____ in the dark.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French lumineus, from Latin luminosus, "full of light."
Related words
Rhymes for luminous
See all rhymes for luminous →Frequently asked questions
What does “luminous” mean?
The word “luminous” means giving off light; glowing. In plain terms, glowing with light, or (of writing/explanation) unusually clear and illuminating.
How do you pronounce “luminous”?
“Luminous” is pronounced LOO-mih-nuhs (/ˈluːmɪnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “luminous” in a sentence?
Here is “luminous” used in a sentence: “The watch face is luminous in the dark.”
What part of speech is “luminous”?
“Luminous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “luminous” come from?
The word “luminous” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Middle French lumineus, from Latin luminosus, "full of light.".
Is “luminous” a common word?
“Luminous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “luminous” have?
“Luminous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: giving off light; glowing.
