luminary
Americannoun
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a celestial body, such as the sun or moon.
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a body, object, etc., that gives light.
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a person who has attained eminence in their field or is an inspiration to others.
The book was written by one of the luminaries in the field of medical science.
adjective
noun
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a person who enlightens or influences others
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a famous person
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literary something, such as the sun or moon, that gives off light
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of luminary
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English luminarye, from Medieval Latin lūmināria “lamp”; see luminaria
Explanation
In scientific writing, Stephen J. Hawking is a luminary. People look up to this well-known scientist and author for his knowledge and insight. Although luminary can mean an object or celestial body that gives off light, you'll often hear people talk about parties at which there were many luminaries in attendance. In this case, luminary means celebrity or well-known person in sports or politics, science or the arts. Think of them as being bright lights that make a party sparkle.
Vocabulary lists containing luminary
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Let There Be Light: Lum and Luc
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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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.
Salles, presented with the Luminary Award for innovative filmmaking, last year gave Brazil its first Academy Award for international film with his moving family drama “I’m Still Here.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025
I’m in the “Black Adam” movie and I’m gonna tour after the release of this special podcast — I made a deal with Luminary, who I am recording with currently.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 27, 2022
Alongside Dave Chappelle, the two musicians are co-hosts of the Luminary exclusive podcast The Midnight Miracle.
From The Verge • Apr. 12, 2022
Or maybe this is just a one-time experiment; I’m not aware of all that many other Luminary podcasters who are also acclaimed for their music and would be as much of a natural fit.
From The Verge • Apr. 12, 2022
We must have started long since; but my eyes, fast sealed under the opiate rays of the Luminary, had hitherto refused to ope their lids to the garish beams of his rival.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 by Various
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.
