adj
Uncommon
lunar
LOO-nuh
Lunar (adj) means relating to, or associated with, the moon. Example: “The astronauts studied lunar rock samples brought back from the mission.”
adj
1
Relating to, or associated with, the moon.
"The astronauts studied lunar rock samples brought back from the mission."
"A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon."
"The lunar cycle lasts about a month, so the moon changes shape regularly."
2
Shaped like a crescent moon.
"The pendant had a delicate lunar curve to it."
"The baker cut the pastry into a lunar shape and dusted it with sugar."
"Along the beach, the bay formed a wide lunar arc."
noun
1
A small bone in the wrist, shaped like a half-moon.
"The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in the lunar bone."
How to use lunar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything to do with the moon — its surface, its cycles, or space missions that travel there.
Common pairings
lunar eclipse
lunar module
lunar calendar
lunar surface
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Word forms
- Plural
- lunars
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The astronauts studied _____ rock samples brought back from the mission.
Etymology
From Latin lunaris ("of the moon"), from luna ("moon"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to shine."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “lunar” mean?
The word “lunar” means relating to, or associated with, the moon. In plain terms, anything to do with the moon — its surface, its cycles, or space missions that travel there.
How do you pronounce “lunar”?
“Lunar” is pronounced LOO-nuh (/ˈlunɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lunar” in a sentence?
Here is “lunar” used in a sentence: “The astronauts studied lunar rock samples brought back from the mission.”
What is the opposite of “lunar”?
The opposite of “lunar” — its antonyms — is solar.
What part of speech is “lunar”?
Depending on how it is used, “lunar” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “lunar” come from?
The word “lunar” comes from Latin. From Latin lunaris ("of the moon"), from luna ("moon"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to shine.".
Is “lunar” a common word?
“Lunar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lunar” have?
“Lunar” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to, or associated with, the moon.
What is the difference between lunar and solar?
Lunar relates to the moon, while solar relates to the sun. The distinction matters most for calendars: a lunar calendar tracks the moon's phases, whereas a solar calendar tracks the Earth's orbit around the sun.
What is a lunar month?
A lunar month is the period it takes the moon to complete one full cycle of phases, roughly 29.5 days. It is shorter than a standard calendar month and is the basis for lunar and lunisolar calendars.
What does lunar mean in anatomy?
In anatomy, the lunar (or lunate) bone is a small, half-moon-shaped bone in the wrist. It sits between the other carpal bones and takes its name from its crescent shape, the same shape sense used for the moon.
