luminous
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “luminous” mean?
adjective.full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages related to nature, art, or science, emphasizing clarity, inspiration, or enlightenment. It implies a sense of positivity and brilliance, distinguishing it from similar words like "radiant," which may focus more on warmth, or "brilliant," which often emphasizes intelligence or excellence rather than light.
Common Confusions
Luminous implies a bright and shining quality that illuminates, while radiant usually suggests warmth and light that emanates from a source, often conveying a sense of beauty or health rather than pure brightness.
Do not choose luminous if the context emphasizes dullness or lack of light rather than being full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark.
Example Sentences
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The luminous full moon lit the entire field.