English Reference
adjective

luxurious

adj.
US /ɫəɡˈʒɝiəs/ UK /lʌɡʒjˈʊɹɪəs/ lux·u·ri·ous

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    very comfortable and expensive, often with high-quality materials.

    characterized by opulence, sumptuousness, or refined comfort; usually implies high material quality and cost.

    Simple

    We stayed in a luxurious hotel with a view of the ocean.

    In context

    The penthouse featured luxurious velvet furnishings and hand-carved marble floors that reflected the city lights below.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    describing a person who loves and is used to expensive things.

    given to or fond of luxury; accustomed to a lifestyle of high comfort and indulgence.

    Simple

    He lived a luxurious life, traveling only in private jets.

    In context

    The monarch was criticized for his luxurious habits while the rest of the country faced severe economic hardship.

    Usage

    When applied to people, it often carries a slightly critical tone regarding their indulgence.

    self indulgentepicurean

Yod, a 53-year-old businessman, told the BBC he viewed his collection of more than 70 guns more as luxurious toys – he said he had never fired most of them.

BBC News· 16 Aug 2026

And though the work includes luxurious objects such as the tazza , Peeters is making the point that you can’t take anything with you when you die.

The Guardian· 7 Aug 2026

From Middle English luxurious, from Old French luxurios (modern French luxurieux), from Latin lū̆xuriōsus (“rank, luxuriant, profuse, excessive, immoderate”), from lū̆xuria (“rankness, luxury”), from lū̆xus (“extravagance, luxury”). By surface analysis, luxury + -ous.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin lū̆xuriōsus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated