Word: luminaries (noun, plural of luminary)

Associations

"Luminaries" means important or famous people who inspire others. It can also mean objects that give light, like stars or lamps, but usually in a metaphorical way for people who "shine" in their field.

• In a sentence about people: "The conference was attended by scientific luminaries." Here, it means famous scientists.
• About stars or light: "The night sky was full of luminaries." This means bright stars or lights.
• In culture: "She is one of the luminaries of modern art." Meaning she is a very important artist.

Synonym: "celebrities" can also mean famous people, but "luminaries" often implies respect and influence, not just fame. Luminaries are seen as leaders or guides.

Substitution

You can say:

• "leaders" (if you mean people who guide or inspire)
• "stars" (if you mean famous people)
• "notables" (important people)
• "lights" (in poetic or metaphorical sense)

Each substitution changes the tone: "leaders" focus on influence, "stars" on fame, "notables" on importance.

Deconstruction

The root word is "luminary," from Latin "lumen," meaning "light." The suffix "-ary" means "related to." So "luminary" literally means "one who gives light." This is why it is used for people who "shine" by their achievements or qualities.

Inquiry

• Can you think of someone you consider a luminary in your life or culture? Why?
• How does calling someone a luminary change the way you think about them compared to just calling them famous?
• Can "luminaries" be used for things other than people? When would that make sense?