luster

¹ American  

[luhs-ter] / ˈlʌs tər /

especially British, lustre

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.

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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 ² American  

[luhs-ter] / ˈlʌs tər /

noun

1. a person who lusts.

   a luster after power.

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luster ³ American  

[luhs-ter] / ˈlʌs tər /

especially British, lustre

noun

1. lustrum.

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luster Scientific  

/ lŭs′tər /

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.

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Related Words

See polish.

Other Word Forms

• lusterless adjective

Etymology

Origin of luster¹

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 luster¹

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

Origin of luster¹

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

Example Sentences

Google’s Gemini AI tool has also drawn new praise in recent days, adding to the tech titan’s market luster and weighing on the Tokyo-listed shares of SoftBank, a major investor in Gemini rival OpenAI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pasadena may get a one-time windfall, but over time without an anchor tenant, revenue will shrink and the stadium’s luster will fade.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Barron's

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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