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

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

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

Red Sox fans also will delight in a late cameo by Bill Lee, nicknamed “Spaceman,” an eccentric baseball luminary who, quite famously, also threw the eephus to catch people off guard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 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

Los Angeles art world luminaries such as Raymond Pettibon, Ruby Neri and Adam Silverman are displayed alongside lesser-known artists beloved by Herman, 78, and his wife.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Britpop luminaries Pulp closed the mainstage on Saturday night at the four-day event, near Blandford Forum, Dorset.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

And its ads starring Madonna, Spike Lee and other luminaries styling Gap’s classic T-shirts and denim their own way resonated with shoppers: They too could make the look their own.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026

Inside that circle are the homes of Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli—and the list of luminaries goes on.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Related Words

• celebrity
• dignitary
• notable
• personage
• superstar