variants
or lustre
1
: a glow of reflected light : sheen
specifically
: the appearance of the surface of a mineral dependent upon its reflecting qualities
the luster of polished metal
2
a
: a glow of light from within : luminosity
the luster of the stars
b
: an inner beauty : radiance
3
: a superficial (see superficial sense 2a) attractiveness or appearance of excellence
scandals have diminished his luster
4
a
: a glass pendant (see pendant sense 1a) used especially to ornament a candlestick or chandelier
b
: a decorative object (such as a chandelier) hung with glass pendants
5
chiefly British
: a fabric with cotton warp and a filling of wool, mohair, or alpaca
6
variants
or lustre
lustered or lustred; lustering or lustring
ˈlə-st(ə-)riŋ 
: to have luster : gleam
1
: to give luster or distinction to
2
: to coat or treat with a substance that imparts luster
Examples of luster in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the Hope diamond is famous for its brilliant luster
on a clear night at sea the stars seem to take on a magical luster
Verb
her pearl necklace lustered softly in the candlelight of the restaurant
Recent Examples on the Web
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Brush red luster dust on inside of mouths.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The ivory tower is losing luster by the second, after campuses around the country proved to be hotbeds of antisemitism, grade inflation has spiked rather than dissipated, and outrageous tuitions fund outlandish administrative salaries.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Velvet is an important aspect of the textile inventory of both designers, who chose it for its firmness, moldability, and luster.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luster
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Noun
Week 10 of the 2025 college football season lost a lot of its luster sometime in September, when Penn State's season went up in smoke.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Brush red luster dust on inside of mouths.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The ivory tower is losing luster by the second, after campuses around the country proved to be hotbeds of antisemitism, grade inflation has spiked rather than dissipated, and outrageous tuitions fund outlandish administrative salaries.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Velvet is an important aspect of the textile inventory of both designers, who chose it for its firmness, moldability, and luster.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luster
Cite this Entry
“Luster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luster. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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