luster

¹

[luhs-ter]

noun

1. a person who lusts.

   a luster after power.

luster

²

especially British, lus·tre

[luhs-ter]

noun

1. the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss.

   the luster of satin.

   Antonyms: dullness

2. a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.

3. radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.

4. radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory.

   achievements that add luster to one's name.

5. a shining object, especially one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.

6. a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.

7. any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.

8. Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.

9. Mineralogy.,  the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities.

   greasy luster.

verb (used with object)

1. to finish (fur, cloth, pottery, etc.) with a luster or gloss.

verb (used without object)

1. to be or become lustrous.

luster

³

especially British, lus·tre

[luhs-ter]

noun

1. lustrum.

luster

1. The shine from the surface of a mineral. Luster is important in describing different kinds of minerals. It is usually characterized as metallic, glassy, pearly, or dull.

Other Word Forms

• lusterless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of luster¹

First recorded in 1585–95; lust + -er ¹

Origin of luster²

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 luster³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lustre, from Latin lūstrum lustrum

Synonym Study

See polish.

Example Sentences

And gold, despite a recent pullback from all-time highs, has regained some of its luster lately.

Read more on Barron's

But Broadway loses its luster if the streets and subways feel dangerous, and it’s an open question how much Mr. Mamdani will handcuff the New York Police Department.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A 9-0 ruling would be right on the law and enhance the luster of the Court.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Classic lost a lot of luster when the favorite, Sovereignty, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, was scratched earlier in the week when he spiked a fever.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They won’t fetch as much without the luster of their Napoleonic ties, but they’ll still be evaluated on their natural qualities as gemstones.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brightness 
• brilliance 
• glitter 
• glow 
• sheen 
• shimmer 
• sparkle