luscious

adjective

lus·cious | \ ˈlə-shəs

Definition of luscious

1a : having a delicious taste or smell : sweet chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping

b archaic : excessively sweet : cloying

2 : sexually attractive : seductive, sexy a luscious actress

3a : richly luxurious or appealing to the senses her luscious voice swelling and decaying with total control, her low notes booming sonorously— Gary Giddins

b : excessively ornate rich and luscious phrases, thick with imagery— Ruth Park

Other Words from luscious Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about luscious

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Did You Know?

Have you ever heard a young child say something is licius when he or she really means it's "delicious"? Back in the Middle Ages, the word licius was sometimes used as a shortened form of delicious by adults and kids alike. Linguists believe that luscious developed when licius was further altered by 15th-century speakers. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin verb delicere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." The adjective lush, which can sometimes mean "delicious" as well, is not a shortened form of luscious; it derived on its own from the Middle English lusch, meaning "soft or tender."

Examples of luscious in a Sentence

chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping a luscious strawberry bursting with juice

Recent Examples on the Web

Romantic gowns in luscious pastels, often with intricate embellishments, were worn day and night from Doha to Los Angeles for a global consensus on glamour. — Vogue, "This Week, Stars Went for Modern Elegance and Runway Standouts," 1 Apr. 2019 The Jonas Brothers just recently collaborated with their wives and fiancee on the most OTT, luscious, surprisingly hilarious music video (and Sophie was the standout). — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Sophie Turner Just Clapped Back at Nosy Paparazzi in the Most Brilliant Way," 27 Mar. 2019 The latest issue of V Magazine features Selena Gomez looking absolutely gorgeous, rocking luscious curls and, a cowgirl hat, and flowers all over. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "Selena Gomez Rocks A Gorge New Look On The Cover Of V Magazine!," 17 Feb. 2015 Not to be outdone, Dell announced a 55-inch 4K Alienware monitor outfitted with a luscious OLED display for deep blacks and fantastic color reproduction. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "6 important CES 2019 reveals and trends that PC enthusiasts need to know about," 11 Jan. 2019 Their luscious foliage is unparalleled for accent and groundcover effect. — Kris Wetherbee, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow the Most Stunning Hostas," 7 Aug. 2018 Salmon turns from silky and succulent and luscious to chalky, bitter, and lifeless in the span of a minute. — Gabrielle Hamilton, House Beautiful, "Gabrielle Hamilton's Salmon With Creamy Lemon Rice," 14 Mar. 2012 Hailey recently stepped out with a new hairstyle, chopping off those luscious blonde locks and debuting a cut that only barely reaches her chin. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Hailey Bieber’s Haircut Has Fans Comparing Her to Justin," 14 Dec. 2018 By contrast, the princesses in these stories are all conventionally beautiful, with long, luscious hair and smooth skin. — Melissa Blake, Good Housekeeping, "Princess Eugenie's Dress Meant a Lot to Me, Because I Have the Same Scar," 17 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'luscious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Apr 2019

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The first known use of luscious was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for luscious

luscious

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of luscious

: having a very appealing taste or smell

: richly appealing

informal : very physically attractive

See the full definition for luscious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

luscious

adjective

lus·cious | \ ˈlə-shəs

Kids Definition of luscious

1 : having a delicious taste or smell Children gathered around and stared longingly at the luscious fruit while the adults gulped with their mouths watering.— Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

2 : delightful to hear, see, or feel a luscious singing voice