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

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

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

A luminary in his field, Tao conducts research that examines, in part, whether a group of numbers are random or structured.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 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

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

Vincenzo Perugia became, briefly, a luminary on the level of the Mona Lisa itself.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Related Words

• celebrity
• dignitary
• notable
• personage
• superstar