Word
opulence
Phoneticsop·u·lence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑpjəɫəns/
UK/ˈɒpjʊləns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a quality of being very expensive, grand, and impressive. You use this to describe places or things that show great wealth.
n. great wealth or luxuriousness, especially when shown in a very obvious or grand way. Refers to the quality of being lavish or costly in appearance.
Examples
“The opulence of the hotel lobby surprised the guests.”
“The royal palace was famous for its opulence, featuring gold-plated furniture and rare marble floors.”
“Critics argued that the sheer opulence of the gala was insensitive given the city's current economic struggles, noting that the floral arrangements alone cost more than a modest house.”
Examples
simple
“The opulence of the hotel lobby surprised the guests.”
contextual
“The royal palace was famous for its opulence, featuring gold-plated furniture and rare marble floors.”
complex
“Critics argued that the sheer opulence of the gala was insensitive given the city's current economic struggles, noting that the floral arrangements alone cost more than a modest house.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “opulence” in context.
Verb
01. admire opulence
“Tourists gathered to admire the opulence of the cathedral's gold-leaf ceiling.”
verb + noun
02. exude opulence
“Every detail of the velvet-lined lobby was designed to exude opulence.”
verb + noun
03. flaunt opulence
“The new elite often use social media to flaunt their opulence.”
verb + noun
04. opulence dazzles
“The sheer opulence of the estate dazzles even the most seasoned travelers.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. ostentatious opulence
“The billionaire was criticized for his display of ostentatious opulence.”
adj + noun
06. sheer opulence
“Visitors were stunned by the sheer opulence of the palace's throne room.”
adj + noun
07. understated opulence
“The interior design achieved a sense of understated opulence through fine materials.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. display of opulence
“The royal wedding was a breathtaking display of opulence and tradition.”
noun + prep + noun
09. level of opulence
“Few modern buildings can match the level of opulence found in the Gilded Age mansions.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a symbol of opulence
“The marble staircase stands as a lasting symbol of the dynasty's opulence.”
11. associated with wealth and opulence
“The brand has long been associated with wealth and opulence.”
12. live in great opulence
“The family continued to live in great opulence despite the economic downturn.”
Usage
Typically used to describe physical environments, lifestyles, or decor rather than abstract concepts.
Real-World Examples
“Jakarta is both gleaming in opulence and dimmed by stark inequality.” “It came to encapsulate the glamour and opulence of the Gilded Age, says a new book.” “Extravagant displays of opulence and adulation greeted U.S. President Donald Trump at every stage of his four-day swing through the Gulf, which wrapped up on Friday.” “The Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt is best-known for the immortalising opulence of such milestones of modern art as his gold-leaf-encrusted canvases The Kiss, 1907-8, and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907.” Etymology
From French opulence, from Latin opulentia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/opulence