FROM THE ARCHIVETuesday, October 13, 2026
cynosure
SYE-nuh-shoor/ˈsaɪnəʃʊr//noun
01 / MEANING
A person or thing that attracts attention and admiration; also, a guiding point.
In a sentence.
- 01
The illuminated clock became the cynosure of the square.
- 02
Her bold painting was the cynosure of the small exhibition.
Where it came from.
Cynosure traveled through French and Latin from Greek Kynosoura, ‘dog's tail,’ a name for Ursa Minor and its guiding North Star.
Explore the sourceWhy it’s interesting.
A guiding star became a metaphor for whatever draws everyone's eyes.