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
Synonyms
Examples of luster in a Sentence
Verb
her pearl necklace lustered softly in the candlelight of the restaurant
Recent Examples on the Web
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Business was steady, though not spectacular, and Oracle risked losing its luster.
—Tony Blair, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The romance may fall short, and the songs lack a certain luster, but the magic of the circus is winning.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
Hardwood floors: Even diluted vinegar can damage the sealant or finish that protects the wood and adds luster, leaving it looking dull and damaged, Cronin says.
—Stacey Colino, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Finish off all three with a shimmery sprinkling of edible luster dust.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024
Its influence and output has waxed and waned in subsequent decades, but under the direction of bassist/producer Don Was the label has regained much of its luster in recent years.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
More big stories Golden state loses its luster: Half of Americans say California is in decline.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
But the increasingly frequent tales of difficulties and uncertainties have some warning that the United States is losing its luster.
—Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
California As high-rise offices lose their luster, can this part of downtown L.A. find a way forward?
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Business was steady, though not spectacular, and Oracle risked losing its luster.
—Tony Blair, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The romance may fall short, and the songs lack a certain luster, but the magic of the circus is winning.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
Hardwood floors: Even diluted vinegar can damage the sealant or finish that protects the wood and adds luster, leaving it looking dull and damaged, Cronin says.
—Stacey Colino, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Finish off all three with a shimmery sprinkling of edible luster dust.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024
Its influence and output has waxed and waned in subsequent decades, but under the direction of bassist/producer Don Was the label has regained much of its luster in recent years.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
More big stories Golden state loses its luster: Half of Americans say California is in decline.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
But the increasingly frequent tales of difficulties and uncertainties have some warning that the United States is losing its luster.
—Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to luster
Dictionary Entries Near luster
Cite this Entry
“Luster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luster. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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