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 luster²

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

Origin of luster³

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

Example Sentences

The cost of losing some of that luster: potentially higher borrowing costs, less capacity to absorb a financial shock, and less ability to create one with sanctions, Singh adds.

From Barron's

After rallying into the start of the year, it seems gold and silver have lost some of their luster.

From The Wall Street Journal

Founded in 2002, SpaceX was Musk’s gambit to reignite the space industry that lost its luster after the Cold War wound down.

From The Wall Street Journal

It took the one-two punch of Paris and Milan to restore the luster of the Olympic rings.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the schools’ sobering return projections and new willingness to cash out early suggest the long-treasured investment is losing its luster.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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