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Intrinsic luminescence from metal nanostructures complements conventional scattering and absorption behaviors and has many interesting and unique features. This phenomenon has attracted considerable research attention in recent years because of its various potential applications. In this review, we discuss recent advances in this field, summarize potential applications for this type of luminescence, and compare theoretical models to describe the phenomena. On the basis of the excitation process, the characteristic features and corresponding applications are summarized briefly in three parts, namely, continuous-wave light, pulsed laser, and electron excitation. A universal physical mechanism likely operates in all these emission processes regardless of differences in the excitation processes; however, there remains some debate surrounding the details of the theoretical model. Further insight into these luminescence phenomena will not only provide a deeper fundamental understanding of plasmonic nanostructures but will also advance and extend their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]