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Added 9 October 2026

luster

/ˈlʌstɚ/ noun

Latin root: lūstrō Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about luster at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The ability or condition of shining with reflected light; sheen, gleam, gloss, sparkle, shine, etc.
metallic luster
The way in which the surface of any particular type of mineral reflects light differently from other minerals, which is helpful in telling minerals apart.
Shining light from within, luminosity, brightness, shine.
the sun’s luster

verb

To have luster, to gleam, to shine.
To gain luster, to become lustrous.
To give luster, particularly To make illustrious or attractive, to distinguish. To coat with a lustrous material or glaze, to impart physical luster to an object.

noun

Alternative form of lustrum: A five-year period, especially in Roman contexts.

noun

One who lusts, one inflamed with lust.

Origin

From Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustro, from Old Italian lustrare (“brighten”), from Latin lūstrō (“to purify, to brighten”), from Latin lūstrum (“purification ritual”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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