What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
luminance
Example
The luminance of the stars in the night sky is breathtaking. [luminance: noun]
Example
The camera's sensor measures the luminance of the scene to adjust the exposure. [luminance: noun]
Example
The luminance of the room was too low for reading. [luminance: noun]
shine
Example
The diamond ring shone brightly in the sunlight. [shone: past tense verb]
Example
The moon shines brightly in the night sky. [shines: present tense verb]
Example
The freshly waxed car had a beautiful shine to it. [shine: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shine is more commonly used than luminance in everyday language, as it is a more general term that can be used in various contexts. Luminance is a technical term that is more commonly used in specific fields such as physics, photography, and cinematography.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between luminance and shine?
Luminance is a more formal term than shine, as it is a technical term used in scientific and technical contexts. Shine is a more versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.