opulence

noun

op·​u·​lence ˈä-pyə-lən(t)s 

1

: wealth, affluence

the opulence of prerevolutionary monarchs

2

: abundance, profusion

an opulence of fruits

Synonyms

• assets
• capital
• fortune
• means
• riches
• substance
• wealth
• wherewithal
• worth

Examples of opulence in a Sentence

in some parts of the city nearly unimaginable opulence can be found side by side with nearly unthinkable poverty

Recent Examples on the Web

Purists may feel that Pichon and company have gone overboard, but, given that the Kyrie and the Gloria were intended for the glittering Dresden court, a bit of opulence seems apt. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

Philipp Plein is a ringmaster in the circus of opulence, and, arguably, a character of his own creation. —Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Quiet opulence The new locations, dubbed J.P. Morgan Financial Centers, have a warm feel and an earth-tone color palette that intentionally sets them apart from the nearly 5,000 Chase branches operated by the bank. —Hugh Son, CNBC, 27 May 2025

Against the glittering backdrop of the French Riviera, icons like Naomi Campbell in Dolce & Gabbana and Halle Berry in archival Chanel set the tone for an evening defined by prestige and unapologetic opulence. —Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentia, from opulentus "abounding in resources, opulent" + -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

opulence

noun

op·​u·​lence ˈäp-yə-lən(t)s 

: great wealth