luminous
- Emitting or reflecting a bright, steady light; vividly bright and radiant.
- Used figuratively to mean brilliantly clear or enlightening in thought or expression.
In a sentence
- The artist was known for the luminous quality of her watercolors, which seemed to glow from within.
- A luminous full moon lit the path through the forest.
Usage note. In technical contexts, 'luminous' has a precise meaning related to visible light perceived by the human eye, distinct from 'radiant' which refers to total emitted energy.
Where it comes from
English luminous — “bright, radiant, glowing” · entered English 15th c.
From Latin 'luminosus' (full of light), derived from 'lumen' (light, opening), which traces to Proto-Indo-European root *leuk- (light, brightness). Entered English in the 15th century. Related words include 'illuminate,' 'lunar,' and 'lucid.' (Source: Oxford, Etymonline)