luminary 1 of 2

noun

ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce luminary (audio)
Definition of luminarynext
1
as in star
a ball-shaped gaseous celestial body that shines by its own light awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about luminaries from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics were at the gala

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

luminary

2 of 2

adjective

as in luminous

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of luminary
Noun
From above, an outdoor terrace is outfitted especially for hosting recruits or other luminaries, complete, for the time being, with basketball courts and pickleball. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 The exam’s board also includes many conservative luminaries, including Christopher Rufo, as well as philosopher, Cornel West. — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Adjective
All three bars take their places alongside other luminary bars in the Bay Area, Southern California, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix and Maui. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 A lot of neighborhoods have luminary traditions that involve lining DIY paper lanterns along the streets and pathways. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
  1. star
  2. celebrity
  3. luminous
  4. galaxy
  5. personality
  6. illuminated
  7. sun
  8. dignitary
Noun
  • The one-time child star had spoken openly about navigating addiction and postpartum depression in her adult life, documenting those struggles as well as the painful loss of her brother in a memoir released this year.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the book, the star detailed her prolific and sometimes difficult career in show business; growing up under the harsh light of Hollywood; and the highs and lows of filming hit TV shows like Heroes and Nashville, and more.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • In the time since her sudden death, celebrities publicly mourning include Viola Davis, Selma Blair, and Rosie O’Donnell.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But that enchantment began long before the beach clubs and celebrity sightings.
    — Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of celebrity
Adjective
  • This gorgeous night dress will keep you cool in the summer, and features a romantic lace trim, round neckline, and luminous shell buttons.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This stellar companion is apparently a luminous star that has three times the mass of the sun but is so close to the far brighter supergiant that its light had been hidden in the glare all this time.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of luminous
Noun
  • There are supermassive black holes lurking in the center of almost every large galaxy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • He’s confronted by his mysterious past and is hurled into a dangerous adventure across the galaxy that puts him on a crash course with destiny.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of galaxy
Noun
  • Like any group with more than 50 members, there have been a few paranormal personality clashes.
    — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But each of the six restaurants and bars has its own personality and riffs on the national food.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of personality
Adjective
  • The energy was later brought back up, getting fans back on their feet, when Karol G and her dancers started making their way to the illuminated stone pool on the B-stage.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Holy Land’s brightly illuminated cross atop Pine Hill in Waterbury has been a landmark to I-84 travelers all along.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of illuminated
Noun
  • There are few things more beautiful than the corona, the sun’s atmosphere, visible only during total solar eclipses like the one that occurred last week over a narrow swath of eastern Greenland, western Iceland and Spain.
    — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Friday's forecast is trending drier with a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the lower 80s.
    — Rachael Jay, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sun
Noun
  • The solicitor general said a new and secure ballroom is also crucial for social gatherings and foreign dignitaries.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Also among the dignitaries present was the Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, who came to Colombia amid a wider mission to shore up support for his nation.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dignitary

Browse Nearby Words

luminaries
luminary
luminesce
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on luminary

Nglish: Translation of luminary for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All