English Reference

Word

sensuous

Phoneticssen·su·ous

US/ˈsɛnʃəwəs/

UK/sˈɛnsjuːəs/

Definition

adj. relating to the physical senses, especially touch, taste, and smell. It describes things that feel very pleasant or exciting to the body.

adj. relating to the physical senses, particularly touch, taste, and smell, rather than the mind. Often used to describe experiences that are intensely pleasurable or stimulating to the body.

Examples

“The warm bath was a sensuous experience.”

“The chef used rare spices to create a sensuous aroma that filled the entire kitchen.”

“The novel is celebrated for its sensuous descriptions of the landscape, focusing on the texture of the soil and the scent of the sea air to evoke a deep sense of place.”

Examples

simple

“The warm bath was a sensuous experience.”

contextual

“The chef used rare spices to create a sensuous aroma that filled the entire kitchen.”

complex

“The novel is celebrated for its sensuous descriptions of the landscape, focusing on the texture of the soil and the scent of the sea air to evoke a deep sense of place.”

Real-World Examples

“But once again Petrenko eked out the details: glistening shimmers of violin, razor-edged tuba, bright flares of horn cutting through the sensuous haze.”
The Guardian · 4 Sept 2026

Etymology

From Latin sensus (“sense”) + English -ous.

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

Word family

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference