sensuous

adjective

sen·​su·​ous ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəs 

1

a

: of or relating to the senses or sensible objects

b

: producing or characterized by gratification of the senses : having strong sensory appeal

sensuous pleasure

2

: characterized by sense impressions or imagery aimed at the senses

sensuous verse

3

: highly susceptible to influence through the senses

sensuosity

ˌsen(t)-shə-ˈwä-sə-tē 

noun

sensuously

ˈsen(t)-shə-wəs-lē 

adverb

sensuousness noun

Did you know?

Sensuous and sensual are close in meaning but not identical, and sensuous was actually coined by the poet John Milton so that he wouldn't have to use sensual. Sensuous usually implies pleasing of the senses by art or similar means; great music, for example, can be a source of sensuous delight. Sensual, on the other hand, usually describes gratification of the senses or physical appetites as an end in itself; thus we often think (perhaps unfairly) of wealthy Romans leading lives devoted to sensual pleasure. You can see why the Puritan Milton might have wanted another word.

Synonyms

• sensational
• sensitive
• sensorial
• sensory

Choose the Right Synonym for sensuous

sensuous, sensual, luxurious, voluptuous mean relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses.

sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure.

the sensuous delights of great music

sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves.

a life devoted to sensual pleasures

luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor.

a luxurious hotel

voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure.

a voluptuous feast

Examples of sensuous in a Sentence

The sensuous sounds of soul music created a warm atmosphere.

A gentle, sensuous breeze caressed our faces.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dresses were marketed in part by their sound, known as scroop: the sensuous rustle of fabrics against one another as the wearer crossed the room. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

But the academy was too cloistered to recognize those sensuous wisps of smoke and steam wrapped around this Hong Kong love story and shut the film out entirely: Nothing for Wong, the sumptuous cinematography or Maggie Cheung’s sensitive performance. —The New York Times Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

There’s a luxuriantly sensuous quality to the prose of British novelist Deborah Levy — a tactile grasp of land, weather and flesh — that feels intensely cinematic while reading it, as well as an elliptical, concentrated interior psychology that feels liable to trip up any potential adapters. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 Feb. 2024

Here, sensuous, delicate etchings provide a wonderful counterpoint to the drama of Mallarmé’s poetry, with complex images rendered in a few lines. —Barbara Schreiber, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

On Thursday, Klum and Tiësto released a club-ready, refreshed version of the 1984 track with Klum’s sensuous vocals. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2024

It’s set dressing and stage lighting, of course—a sensuous office in which no one takes much pleasure. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2024

Its rich blend of black orchid and spice creates an opulent and sensuous aroma, perfect for evenings or special occasions. —Jose Ryller, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023

This is an intriguing, increasingly mystifying rabbit hole disguised as a romantic drama, with all the sensuous pleasures the genre suggests (not to mention some superfun synth-pop cuts from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Pet Shop Boys). —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin sensus sense + English -ous

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sensuous

adjective

sen·​su·​ous ˈsench-(ə-)wəs 

1

a

: having to do with the senses or with things perceived by the senses

b

: producing an agreeable effect on the senses

mild sensuous breezes

2

: able to be easily influenced through the senses

sensuously adverb

sensuousness noun