luminous

/ˈluːmɪnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈluːmɪnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlü-mə-nəs/ (ame, mw)

luminous — 形容詞

  • luminouspositive
  • more luminouscomparative
  • most luminoussuperlative

1. describes an object that gives out a soft, steady light — especially in dark con

1.形容詞B2
釋義

發光的

在黑暗中發出柔和光亮

describes an object that gives out a soft, steady light — especially in dark conditions, so that it can be seen without any other light source.

例句

Mei-Lin hung luminous stars on her bedroom ceiling so they would glow at night.

Mei-Lin 在她臥室天花板貼了發光的星星，讓它們在夜間發亮。

luminous + noun for glow-in-the-dark items

The watch had a luminous dial that helped Kwame read the time in the dark tent.

那隻手錶有發光的錶盤，幫助 Kwame 在黑暗的帳篷裡看時間。

同義詞
  • glowing

    shorter and more general; 'luminous' often implies the glow is in the dark

  • radiant

    suggests beams of light spreading outward; warmer and more poetic

  • shining

    a simpler everyday word; does not specifically suggest darkness

反義詞
  • dark

    receiving or giving out no light

  • dim

    giving out very little light

用法筆記

Often used for objects that absorb light and then emit it in the dark, such as watch dials, safety signs, or toy stickers. Not used for very bright light sources like the sun — 'bright' or 'blinding' fits better there.

常見錯誤

❌The sun was luminous at noon.
✅The sun was bright at midday.
💡'luminous' describes a soft, steady glow rather than intense brightness.
❌The luminous bulb lit the whole room.
✅The bright bulb lit the whole room.
💡'luminous' is for objects that glow in darkness, not standard light bulbs.

2. relating to the measurement or perception of light — used in scientific contexts

2.形容詞C1
釋義

發光（物理）

與光的測量或感知有關

relating to the measurement or perception of light — used in scientific contexts such as physics and engineering to describe the properties of a light source.

例句

Engineers measured the luminous output of the new lamp using a special device.

工程師用一種特殊裝置測量了新燈泡的發光輸出。

collocation: luminous output / luminous flux

The luminous efficiency of LED bulbs is much higher than that of old light bulbs.

LED 燈泡的發光效率遠高於舊式燈泡。

同義詞
  • photometric

    more specific; refers to the measurement of visible light

用法筆記

Restricted to technical or academic contexts. In this sense 'luminous' is a precise scientific term and cannot be replaced with everyday words like 'bright' or 'shiny'.

常見錯誤

❌This candle is very luminous in the physics experiment.
✅This candle has a low luminous intensity compared to the LED.
💡in the technical sense, 'luminous' is paired with measured quantities, not used as a general description.

3. extremely attractive and full of life, as if glowing from within — used to descr

3.形容詞B2
釋義

光彩動人的

美麗動人、神采煥發

extremely attractive and full of life, as if glowing from within — used to describe a person's appearance, a performance, or a beautiful scene.

例句

Sofia looked luminous in her wedding dress as she walked down the aisle.

Sofia 穿著婚紗走過紅毯，看起來光彩動人。

figurative: describes a person glowing with beauty

Diego thought the sunset over the mountains looked luminous that evening.

Diego 覺得那天傍晚山上的夕陽光彩動人。

同義詞
  • radiant

    very close in meaning; 'radiant' may emphasise happiness more directly

  • glowing

    more casual; often used for skin that looks healthy

  • stunning

    focuses on the impact of beauty rather than the inner-light metaphor

反義詞
  • dull

    lacking brightness or liveliness

  • plain

    ordinary-looking, without special beauty

用法筆記

This is a figurative use comparing beauty to inner light. It is stronger and more poetic than 'beautiful' and often suggests health, happiness, or emotional radiance.

常見錯誤

❌She looked luminous after eating a big meal.
✅She looked luminous on her wedding day.
💡'luminous' suggests inner radiance from joy or health, not temporary physical states.

4. extremely bright and strong in colour, so that the colour seems almost to give o

4.形容詞B2
釋義

鮮亮的

顏色非常明亮搶眼

extremely bright and strong in colour, so that the colour seems almost to give off its own light.

例句

Arjun chose a luminous orange jacket so he would stand out on the ski slope.

Arjun 選了一件鮮亮的橘色外套，讓自己在滑雪坡道上很顯眼。

luminous + colour adjective for vivid hues

Bao painted his front door a luminous red that visitors noticed from far away.

Bao 把前門漆成鮮亮的紅色，訪客遠遠就能注意到。

同義詞
  • vivid

    more common for describing strong colours; lacks the 'glowing' suggestion

  • brilliant

    suggests both brightness and purity of colour

  • neon

    specifically for fluorescent or extremely intense artificial colours

反義詞
  • dull

    not bright or strong in colour

  • muted

    softened or subdued in colour

用法筆記

Specifically modifies colour terms (luminous yellow, luminous pink, etc.) to indicate an eye-catching vividness that resembles glow. Stronger than 'bright' and less common than 'vivid'.

常見錯誤

❌The sky was luminous blue after the rain.
✅The sky was a luminous blue that appeared to glow after the rain.
💡'luminous' describes the colour quality itself, not the state of the sky.
❌Her luminous red shoes were covered in mud.
✅Her shoes were a luminous red that stood out even in dim light.
💡'luminous' refers to colour intensity, not the object's condition.