Word
sensual
Phoneticssen·su·al, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛnʃəwəɫ/
UK/sˈɛnsjuːəl/
Definitions
01pleasing to the senses
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. giving pleasure to your physical senses, like touch, taste, or sight.
adj. relating to or involving gratification of the physical senses, often through luxury or aesthetic beauty.
“The spa was full of sensual delights like warm oils and soft music.”
“The chef focused on the sensual qualities of the dish, pairing the velvet texture of the sauce with the sharp aroma of fresh herbs.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02erotic or attractive
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. suggesting sexual pleasure or physical attraction.
adj. inducing or suggesting pleasurable erotic sensations; physically attractive in a way that appeals to the senses.
“The actress gave a sensual performance that captivated the entire audience.”
“The marketing campaign relied on sensual imagery to associate the fragrance with romance and physical desire.”
03relating to the senses
C2 · Proficiency Academic · Formal
adj. connected to the physical senses rather than the mind or spirit.
adj. pertaining to the physical senses as opposed to the intellect or spirit; often used in philosophical or technical contexts.
“He preferred sensual experiences like hiking and cooking over reading books.”
“The philosopher argued that all human knowledge begins with sensual perception of the world around us.”
Real-World Examples
“Last summer, Reuters revealed that Meta allowed its chatbots to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual", and provide false medical information to users.” “When it comes to letting her hair down, Akhmetshina is suitably uninhibited in a sensual Bésame mucho.” “Overseas steam ship travel was less dangerous, and closer to home the local seaside was becoming a source of sensual pleasure.” Etymology
From Late Latin sensualis (“endowed with feeling, sensual”), from Latin sensus (“feeling, sense”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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