opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈä-pyə-lənt 

: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as

a

: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation

living in opulent comfort

opulent furnishings

an opulent hotel

b

dated : having a large estate or property : wealthy

an opulent family

opulent industrialists

opulently adverb

Synonyms of opulent

• wealthy
• rich
• affluent

Choose the Right Synonym for opulent

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of opulent in a Sentence

an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions

an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques

Recent Examples on the Web

Retired in style In this photo from the same March 1982 photo shoot, Ali strikes a pose in his opulent Los Angeles living room. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026

Upon arrival, over 250 guests were led through Fleurs de Villes’ opulent botanical exhibit inspired by the period drama—which is open to the public through November 4—before congregating on the terrace for a breathtaking view of the city. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026

But on Wall Street, the faux-opulent chain has posted surprisingly strong returns for investors in a comparably tough time for the restaurant industry. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his Oscar-winning wife, costume and production designer Catherine Martin, helped design its opulent, theatrical interiors. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentus "abounding in resources, wealthy," from op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" + -ulentus "having in quantity, full of" (probably dissimilated from *-o-u̯ent-os, with Indo-European *-u̯ent-, suffix of possession) — more at opus

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈäp-yə-lənt 

: having or showing much wealth

opulently adverb