luminary

American  

[loo-muh-ner-ee] / ˈlu məˌnɛr i /

noun

plural

luminaries

1. a celestial body, such as the sun or moon.

2. a body, object, etc., that gives light.

3. 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

1. of, relating to, or characterized by light.

luminary British  

/ ˈluːmɪnərɪ /

noun

1. a person who enlightens or influences others

2. a famous person

3. literary something, such as the sun or moon, that gives off light

---

adjective

1. of, involving, or characterized by light or enlightenment

Etymology

Origin of luminary

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English luminarye, from Medieval Latin lūmināria “lamp”; luminaria

Example Sentences

Kent’s jet-black sea is indistinguishable from the cosmos, and his white whale glows like some luminary body within it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Much like York, who was eventually collected by Jacqueline Kennedy and revered by the elite, Anderson has transformed from an outsider to a luminary, celebrated by the glitterati and beyond.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2024

At the time, the Comédie de Genève cited differences in “work philosophy” and “values” between its team and Lupa, 80, a longtime luminary of European theater.

From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2024

Zoe Kurland: Eunice’s husband, Elisha, had studied with a man named Joseph Henry, a physicist and one of the science luminaries of the day, well not just a luminary, actually.

From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2023

We usually honored a luminary in public service and a client.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• celebrity
• dignitary
• notable
• personage
• superstar