Luminary
mediumPositive toneLOO-mih-ner-ee
noun
Definition
A person who inspires or influences others; a prominent figure
Memory hook
LUMIN-ARY: a source of LIGHT (lumen) — a person who inspires and is brilliant in their field.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The conference attracted luminaries from various fields.”
“She was considered a luminary in the world of physics.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“She was considered a ______ in the world of physics.”
Show answer
luminary
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Luminary is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "notable" or "dignitary" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "nobody".
Related GRE Words
connoisseur
An expert judge in matters of taste, especially in fine arts or food
maven
An expert or connoisseur in a particular field
pundit
a self-styled expert who comments authoritatively, especially in media
salient
most noticeable, prominent, or important
signal
(adjective) Notably or conspicuously outstanding
affect
To have an influence on; to produce a change in (verb); emotional expression (noun in psychology)
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