luster

[luhs-ter]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR luster ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss: the luster of satin.

a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.

radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.

radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory: achievements that add luster to one's name.

a shining object, especially one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.

a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.

any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.

Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.

Mineralogy. the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities: greasy luster.

verb (used with object)

to finish (fur, cloth, pottery, etc.) with a luster or gloss.

verb (used without object)

to be or become lustrous.

Also especially British, lus·tre.

Origin of luster

1515–25; < Middle French lustre < Italian lustro, derivative of lustrare to polish, purify < Latin lūstrāre to purify ceremonially, derivative of lūstrum lustrum

Related formslus·ter·less, adjective

Synonyms for luster

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR luster ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See polish.

Antonyms for luster

1. dullness.

luster

[luhs-ter]

noun

lustrum(def 1).

Also especially British, lus·tre.

Origin of luster

1375–1425; late Middle English lustre < Latin lūstrum. See lustrum

luster

[luhs-ter]

noun

a person who lusts: a luster after power.

Origin of luster

First recorded in 1585–95; lust + -er¹

Related Words for luster

brightness, brilliance, shimmer, sparkle, glitter, sheen, glow, resplendence, effulgence, radiance, gleam, glaze, dazzle, iridescence, brilliancy, burnish, glint, polish, lambency, refulgence

Examples from the Web for luster

Contemporary Examples of luster

Yet when our speedster pauses for just a moment, the luster of The Flash fades.
‘The Flash’ Review: Teen Angst Gets a Comic Book Quickie
Sujay Kumar
October 7, 2014
He has already developed a hair product that enhances the luster of red hair and has plans for more products.
Redheads Are Sexy, Dammit!
Justin Jones
September 2, 2014
Needless to say, the gallows humor that is a hallmark of my former profession has lost much of its luster.
The Many Scandals Of The Prisoner X Affair
Michael Ross
February 21, 2013
Luster says he believed his antiques and other possessions would be sold, with the proceeds going to his two young children.
Max Factor Heir Andrew Luster: My Lawyer Made Me Do It
Diane Dimond
February 9, 2013
That never happened, and Luster declared bankruptcy while sitting in prison.
Max Factor Heir Andrew Luster: My Lawyer Made Me Do It
Diane Dimond
February 9, 2013

Historical Examples of luster

Her face was sallow and dry, and the luster had gone from her black hair.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
Holding toward the lamp a glass, clear as crystal, with luster like a gem.
The Strollers
Frederic S. Isham
He took it up and passed the luster of it slowly through his fingers.
The Trimming of Goosie
James Hopper
Every time I come here I do the best I can to keep the luster to his name.
The Lure of the Mask
Harold MacGrath
Her lifted veil made a fine mist above the luster of her eyes.
The Coast of Chance
Esther Chamberlain

Word Origin and History for luster

n.1

"gloss, radiance," 1520s, from Middle French lustre "gloss, radiance" (14c.), common Romanic (cf. Spanish and Portuguese lustre, Rumanian lustru, Italian lustro "splendor, brilliancy"), from Latin lustrare "spread light over, brighten, illumine," related to lucere "shine," lux "light" (see light (n.)).

n.2

"one who lusts," 1590s, agent noun from lust (v.).

luster in Science

luster

[lŭs′tər]

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.