luster
luster Lexical Profile
luster Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface such as polished metal, silk, or pearls.
"Years of careful polishing had given the antique mahogany table a warm, rich luster."
American Great prestige, glory, or distinction associated with a person, achievement, or institution.
"Winning the international championship added considerable luster to the university's reputation."
American A thin metallic coating applied to pottery or porcelain to give it an iridescent sheen after firing, or a cut-glass chandelier ornament.
"The museum displayed several nineteenth-century pitchers decorated with a copper luster."
• verb
American To give a glossy sheen or metallic glaze to (fabric, pottery, or metal); or to shine with a soft glow.
"The artisans carefully lustered the ceramic vessels before the final kiln firing."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'luster' in American English and 'lustre' in British English.
• Rhymes for luster
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French lustre, from Italian lustro, a derivative of lustrare ('to illuminate'), ultimately from Latin lustrum ('purificatory sacrifice') and rooted in lucere ('to shine').