Luminance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈlü-mə-nən(t)s/ lu·mi·nance

Meaning & Definition of Luminance

Luminance (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being luminous
  2. the luminous intensity of a surface in a given direction per unit of projected area

Luminance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. brightness created by light reflected from a surface

    "the emerald had a pure, icy green luminance"

    similar: burnish, gloss, luster, polish, sheen, shine
    related: glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glow, shimmer, blink, flicker, sparkle, twinkle, illumination, irradiation, iridescence, luminescence, brilliance, luminosity, radiance, radiancy, refulgence, finish, glaze
    near: dimness, dinginess, dirtiness, drabness, dullness, flatness, grayness, paleness, cloudiness, gloom, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, somberness

  2. the quality or state of having or giving off light

    "the landscapes of the French painter Claude Lorraine have a unique luminance that no other artist has quite captured"

    similar: brightness, brilliance, brilliancy, candor, dazzle, effulgence, illumination, lambency, lightness, luminosity, luminousness, luster, lustrousness, radiance, refulgence, splendor
    related: blaze, flare, flash, flicker, light, fluorescence, incandescence, luminescence, burnish, gloss, polish, sheen, shine, shininess, fire, flame, glare, glow, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, scintillation, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle
    opposite: blackness, dark, darkness, dullness, duskiness
    near: dimness, gloominess, somberness, cloudiness, haziness, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, colorlessness, grayness, lackluster, paleness, shadiness, shadowiness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Luminance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Luminance:

burnish, gloss, luster, polish, sheen, shine, brightness, brilliance, brilliancy, candor, dazzle, effulgence, illumination, lambency, lightness, luminosity, luminousness, lustrousness, radiance, refulgence, splendor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Luminance

Words with the opposite meaning of Luminance:

blackness, dark, darkness, dullness, duskiness

Related Words for Luminance

glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glow, shimmer, blink, flicker, sparkle, twinkle, irradiation, iridescence, luminescence, radiancy, finish, glaze, blaze, flare, flash, light, fluorescence, incandescence, shininess, fire, flame, glitter, scintillation

Near Antonyms of Luminance

dimness, dinginess, dirtiness, drabness, flatness, grayness, paleness, cloudiness, gloom, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, somberness, gloominess, haziness, colorlessness, lackluster, shadiness, shadowiness

Origin & Etymology of Luminance

lumin(ous) + -ance

First known use: 1867

Frequently Asked Questions about Luminance

What does "Luminance" mean?

"Luminance" means the quality or state of being luminous. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being luminous. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Luminance"?

Other words for "Luminance" include burnish, gloss, luster, polish, sheen, shine, brightness and brilliance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Luminance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Luminance"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Luminance". Common alternatives include burnish, gloss, luster, polish, sheen, shine, brightness, brilliance, brilliancy and candor.

What is the opposite of "Luminance"?

Antonyms of "Luminance" include blackness, dark, darkness, dullness and duskiness. Near antonyms include dimness, dinginess, dirtiness and drabness.

How do you use "Luminance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Luminance" in a sentence: "the emerald had a pure, icy green luminance"; "the landscapes of the French painter Claude Lorraine have a unique luminance that no other artist has quite captured".

Is "Luminance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Luminance" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Luminance"?

"Luminance" is pronounced /ˈlü-mə-nən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as lu·mi·nance.

What is the origin of the word "Luminance"?

"Luminance" comes from lumin(ous) + -ance. First known use: 1867.