luster
Luster (noun) means a gentle shine or sheen, especially on a surface like metal, hair, or pearls. Example: “The necklace had lost its luster after years in a drawer.”
How to use luster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft shine or gleam, or figuratively, added glory or prestige.
Spelled "lustre" in British English, "luster" in American English.
Word forms
lustered past tense, lusters plural, lusters plural, Lusters plural, lusters singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The necklace had lost its _____ after years in a drawer.
Etymology
From Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustrare ("to brighten"), from Latin lustro ("to purify, to brighten").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for luster
Frequently asked questions
What does “luster” mean?
The word “luster” means a gentle shine or sheen, especially on a surface like metal, hair, or pearls. In plain terms, a soft shine or gleam, or figuratively, added glory or prestige.
How do you pronounce “luster”?
“Luster” is pronounced LUHST (/ˈlʌstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “luster” in a sentence?
Here is “luster” used in a sentence: “The necklace had lost its luster after years in a drawer.”
What is another word for “luster”?
Words with a similar meaning to “luster” include lustrate.
What part of speech is “luster”?
Depending on how it is used, “luster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “luster” come from?
The word “luster” comes from Latin. From Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustrare ("to brighten"), from Latin lustro ("to purify, to brighten").
How many meanings does “luster” have?
“Luster” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gentle shine or sheen, especially on a surface like metal, hair, or pearls.