LUSTRELESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lustreless mean? 

• LUSTRELESS (adjective)
  The adjective LUSTRELESS has 2 senses:

1. lacking brilliance or vitality

2. lacking luster or shine

  Familiarity information: LUSTRELESS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LUSTRELESS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking brilliance or vitality

Synonyms:

lackluster; lacklustre; lusterless; lustreless

Context example:

a lusterless performance

Similar:

dull (lacking in liveliness or animation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking luster or shine

Synonyms:

lackluster; lacklustre; lusterless; lustreless

Context example:

lusterless hair

Similar:

dull (emitting or reflecting very little light)

Derivation:

lustrelessness (the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss)

 Context examples 

I could understand his regarding it as of small importance when I looked at it, for the metal was almost black and the stones lustreless and dull.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I never ’ad none,” was the Cockney’s comment, as he gazed with lustreless, hopeless eyes into mine.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Turning upon me a lustreless eye, that reminded me of a long-forgotten blind old horse who once used to crop the grass, and tumble over the graves, in Blunderstone churchyard, he said he was glad to see me: and then he gave me his hand; which I didn't know what to do with, as it did nothing for itself.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I see it as a night scene by El Greco: a hundred houses, at once conventional and grotesque, crouching under a sullen, overhanging sky and a lustreless moon.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)