luminosity

noun

lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnä-sə-tē 

plural luminosities

1

a

: the quality or state of being luminous

b

: something luminous

2

a

: the relative quantity of light

b

: relative brightness of something

3

: the relative quantity of radiation emitted by a celestial source (such as a star)

Synonyms

• brightness
• brilliance
• brilliancy
• candor
• dazzle
• effulgence
• illumination
• lambency
• lightness
• luminance
• luminousness
• luster
• lustre
• lustrousness
• radiance
• refulgence
• splendor

Examples of luminosity in a Sentence

the luminosity of the fireflies made for an enchanting nighttime show

Recent Examples on the Web

This product helped give my oily and sensitive skin an extra dose of luminosity. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 15 Oct. 2024

However, different stars, depending on their luminosity and effective temperature, will have different habitable zones. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

Most noticeably, skin tone, texture, and luminosity have greatly improved. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

This is the third glow-in-the-dark Sport Band, with the first two having a more traditional greenish luminosity. —David Phelan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French luminosité, borrowed from Medieval Latin lūminōsitāt-, lūminōsitās, from Latin lūminōsus "full of light, luminous" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

luminosity

noun

lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē 

plural luminosities

1

: the quality or state of being luminous : brightness

2

: something luminous

Medical Definition

luminosity

noun

lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē 

plural luminosities

1

: the quality or state of being luminous

2

a

: the relative quantity of light

b

: the comparative degree to which light of a given wavelength induces the sensation of brightness when perceived