Word
sumptuous
Phoneticssump·tu·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəmptʃuəs/
UK/sˈʌmptʃuːəs/
Definition
adj. looking or feeling very expensive, comfortable, and high quality. You use this to describe things like a rich meal or a beautiful room.
adj. characterised by significant expense, luxury, and fine quality. Often describes sensory experiences like food, fabrics, or interior decor.
Examples
“The hotel served a sumptuous breakfast every morning.”
“The guests were seated in a sumptuous dining room filled with gold-framed paintings and velvet chairs.”
“The film was praised for its sumptuous cinematography, which captured the vibrant colors and intricate textures of the royal court with breathtaking detail.”
Examples
simple
“The hotel served a sumptuous breakfast every morning.”
contextual
“The guests were seated in a sumptuous dining room filled with gold-framed paintings and velvet chairs.”
complex
“The film was praised for its sumptuous cinematography, which captured the vibrant colors and intricate textures of the royal court with breathtaking detail.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun to emphasize luxury or abundance.
Real-World Examples
“Victor Torp’s attempted cross from the left boomeranged off Lucas Gourna-Douath and into midfield, where Belloumi overpowered Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and sent Millar streaming into the opposition half with a sumptuous outside-of-the-boot pass.” “This looks as sumptuous and panoramic as television will allow.” Etymology
From French somptueux, from Latin sumptuōsus, from sūmptus (“cost, charge, expense”), from sumō (“to take”) + -tus (noun formation suffix).
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/sumptuous