English Dictionary
Definition of “luminary”
luminary (ˈluːmɪnərɪ
)
Definitions
noun
- a person who enlightens or influences others
- a famous person
- literary something, such as the sun or moon, that gives off light
adjective
- of, involving, or characterized by light or enlightenment
Word Origin
C15: via Old French, from Latin lūmināre lamp, from lūmen light
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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celebrity,
star,
expert,
somebody,
lion,
worthy,
notable,
big name,
dignitary,
leading light,
celeb,
personage,
megastar,
fundi,
V.I.P.
Usage examples
The legal luminary knows that the law will take its own course.
India Today (1998)The magazine also reviled the likes of Sandy Weill of Citigroup, the guy who oversaw telecom luminary Jack Grubman.
Globe and Mail (2003)WHY was Alexander Fleming cited as an example of a "Scottish luminary " in the context of an article about entrepreneurial skills?
Times, Sunday Times (2002)Bruce was all the same a luminary of the social scene in enlightened Edinburgh.
Stewart Lamont, WHEN SCOTLAND RULED THE WORLD: The Story of the Golden Age of Genius, Creativity and Exploration (2002)
