noun

luster

LUHST

noun

A gentle shine or sheen, especially on a surface like metal, hair, or pearls.

"The necklace had lost its luster after years in a drawer."

Glory, distinction, or prestige.

"Winning the award added new luster to her already impressive career."

verb

To shine or give a soft glow.

"The polished silverware lustered under the candlelight."

How to Use Luster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA soft shine or gleam, or figuratively, added glory or prestige.

UK vs US

Spelled "lustre" in British English, "luster" in American English.

Common pairings

lose its luster add luster to

lustered past tense, lusters plural, lusters plural, Lusters plural, lusters singular

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The necklace had lost its _____ after years in a drawer.

From Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustrare ("to brighten"), from Latin lustro ("to purify, to brighten").

lustrate

examine purify illuminate

muster buster duster Custer cluster bluster Shuster thruster Schuster adjuster filibuster blockbuster

lustrate examine purify illuminate