luminous

Definitions

lumin (light) + -ous ('full of') = 'full of light,' glowing. It works literally (luminous paint, a luminous moon) and figuratively (a luminous performance, a luminous mind), where it means 'shining with clarity or brilliance.' It describes a thing that gives off or holds light — not the abstract clearness that luc- words carry.

Common Collocations

• 1.luminous [skin/face/eyes]光润的[皮肤/脸/眼睛]
• 2.luminous [paint/dial/markers]夜光[油漆/刻度盘/标记]
• 3.luminous [moon/glow]明亮的[月亮/辉光]
• 4.a luminous performance/quality光彩照人的表演/气质

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The watch has luminous hands that glow softly in the dark.

• 2.

  A luminous full moon hung low over the quiet sea.

• 3.

  Critics praised her luminous performance as the play's emotional heart.

Easily Confused

luminous vs lucid — both touch on 'light,' but luminous means physically glowing or radiant (luminous skin, luminous dial); lucid means mentally clear (a lucid argument, lucid moments). You can't say a 'lucid dial' or a 'luminous argument' — glow → luminous, clarity of thought → lucid.

Synonym Comparison