# Luna

/ˈɫunə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/luna
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the Moon

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a poetic or literary name for the Moon.

For teachers: the Earth's Moon, often personified in a literary or mythological context.

- The pale light of Luna shone through the trees during our midnight walk.
- The poet invoked the image of Luna rising over the silent valley, casting a silver glow that transformed the landscape into a dreamlike realm.

### 2. a type of moth

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a large, beautiful green moth with long tails on its back wings.

For teachers: a member of the species Actias luna, characterized by its lime-green colour and long hindwing tails.

- We were lucky to see a luna moth resting on the porch screen last night.
- The luna moth is a striking example of Saturniid biodiversity, though its adult lifespan is remarkably brief as it lacks functional mouthparts for feeding.

### 3. silver

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old name for the metal silver used by early scientists.

For teachers: an obsolete term for silver, particularly in alchemical or early post-medieval heraldic contexts.

- In the old book, the author used the word 'luna' to describe silver coins.
- The alchemist's manuscript detailed the purification of luna, associating the metal's reflective properties with the celestial influence of the moon.

### 4. a plantation foreman

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a person in charge of workers on a farm or plantation in Hawaii.

For teachers: a supervisor or foreman, specifically within the context of the Hawaiian plantation system.

- The luna directed the workers in the sugar cane fields.
- Historical accounts of the islands often describe the strict hierarchy maintained by the luna during the height of the sugar industry.

## Examples

- The silver light of Luna reflected off the calm lake.
- In Roman mythology, Luna is the divine personification of the moon, often depicted driving a chariot across the night sky.
- The poet invoked the name of Luna to cast a mystical, silver-hued atmosphere over the opening stanzas of his nocturnal epic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.