luster
1 Americannoun
-
the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss.
the luster of satin.
- Antonyms:
- dullness
-
a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.
-
radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.
-
radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory.
achievements that add luster to one's name.
-
a shining object, especially one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.
-
a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.
-
any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.
-
Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.
-
Mineralogy. the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities.
greasy luster.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
noun
Related Words
See polish.
Other Word Forms
- lusterless adjective
Etymology
Origin of luster1
First recorded in 1515–25; from Middle French lustre, from Italian lustro, derivative of lustrare “to polish, purify,” from Latin lūstrāre “to purify ceremonially,” derivative of lūstrum lustrum
Origin of luster2
First recorded in 1585–95; lust + -er 1
Origin of luster3
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lustre, from Latin lūstrum lustrum
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Winter Olympics proved to be another sensation with streaming viewers, but now that they’re over, Peacock has lost much of its luster.
From MarketWatch
The theater had lost its luster and its high-society audience, reduced to booking vaudeville comedians, clog dancers, and trick dogs.
From Literature
The clash lost some luster with Oklahoma City's reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlining a raft of Thunder absentees as he missed a ninth straight game with an abdominal strain.
From Barron's
Given all of that, silver “has not lost its luster. It’s simply recalibrating,” Gule said.
From MarketWatch
But that hasn’t dented the independent power producer’s stock, which zoomed toward its highest level in nearly six weeks on Tuesday, regaining some of its past luster.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
