luminary

American  

[loo-muh-ner-ee] / ˈlu məˌnɛr i /

noun

• luminaries
  plural

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.

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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

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adjective

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• luminaries
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

luminary luminaries

Alyssa Collins knew when she assumed her post as the Huntington’s inaugural Octavia Butler fellow in 2021 that the science-fiction luminary had openly criticized her lost novel, “Survivor.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

The art-world luminary on the power of stress, why museums should never issue statements and whether art should be considered an asset class.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Several of the names are less than luminary.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2025

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

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

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

The negative response to the Alibaba fundraising coincided with setbacks for other luminaries in the AI buildout.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026

Despite the relatively primitive state of world models, tech luminaries are piling in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

I don’t think anybody could gather a roomful of luminaries like that from entertainment, tech and politics in the way that Clive did.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

When I started The Swell newsletter last December, I wanted the bonus culture recommendation to start with Salon’s staff before incorporating other experts, journalists and industry luminaries as guests.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

Not only did he answer my letter, but he included his response in his autobiography, sandwiched between letters to Nehru, Khrushchev, T. S. Eliot, D. H. Lawrence, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and other luminaries.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• celebrity
• dignitary
• notable
• personage
• superstar