Word
lustrous
Phoneticslus·trous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫəstɹəs/
UK/lˈʌstɹəs/
Definition
adj. shiny and bright in a soft, smooth way. You use it for hair, cloth, or metal that reflects light and looks healthy.
adj. having a soft, reflective shine or glow, typically from a smooth, well-kept surface. Often placed before nouns such as hair, silk, wood, or metal.
Examples
“Her long hair looks lustrous and healthy.”
“He polishes the wooden table until the surface turns lustrous in the morning light.”
“After the rain, the garden leaves hung lustrous and heavy, catching the late sun in brief flashes of green and gold.”
Examples
simple
“Her long hair looks lustrous and healthy.”
contextual
“He polishes the wooden table until the surface turns lustrous in the morning light.”
complex
“After the rain, the garden leaves hung lustrous and heavy, catching the late sun in brief flashes of green and gold.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “lustrous” in context.
Verb
01. become lustrous
“The pearls become lustrous when polished gently.”
verb + adj
02. keep lustrous
“Regular polishing will keep the silver lustrous for years.”
verb + adj
03. leave lustrous
“The oil treatment left her hair lustrous and smooth.”
verb + adj
04. look lustrous
“After brushing, her hair looked lustrous and healthy.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. exceptionally lustrous
“Her skin looked exceptionally lustrous in the soft light.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. lustrous coat
“The healthy horse had a lustrous coat that shone in the sun.”
adj + noun
07. lustrous finish
“The table has a lustrous finish that highlights the wood grain.”
adj + noun
08. lustrous hair
“She brushed her long, lustrous hair in front of the mirror.”
adj + noun
09. lustrous pearl
“The necklace featured a single lustrous pearl on a gold chain.”
adj + noun
10. lustrous silk
“She wore a gown of lustrous silk that caught the light.”
adj + noun
11. leave hair soft and lustrous
“This mask will leave hair soft and lustrous without weighing it down.”
12. lustrous coat of fur
“The cat has a lustrous coat of fur that needs little grooming.”
Real-World Examples
“Penny, a laid-back Doberman pinscher with a lustrous black coat, clinched victory at 150 Westminster Kenn Club Dog, marking her as the fifth of her breed to secure the coveted best in show title.” “In this town, approximately 50 skilled artisans meticulously apply the sap from the Japanese lacquer tree onto wooden creations, resulting in a resilient and lustrous finish.” “Her lustrous white hair is so stunning that people stop her on the street to remark on it.” “A plant biologist, Martin has spent almost two decades studying tomatoes, and I had traveled to see her because of a particular one she created: a lustrous, dark purple variety that is unusually high in antioxidants, with twice the amount found in blueberries.” Etymology
From lustre + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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