luscious

adjective

lus·​cious ˈlə-shəs 

1

a

: 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

3

a

: 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

lusciously adverb

lusciousness noun

Did you know?

Have you ever heard a young child describe a favorite food as “licius” instead of “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 may have developed when licius (which comes from the Latin verb delicere, meaning “to entice by charm or attraction”) was further altered to lucius by 15th-century speakers. The adjective lush can sometimes mean “delicious” as well but is not a shortened form of luscious, having developed on its own from the Middle English lusch, meaning “soft or tender.”

Synonyms

• delicious

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

This luscious treatment is flavored and scented, but not tinted. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 11 July 2025

The 3-year-old Australian shepherd's fur had been shaved all over his body, leaving him without his luscious brown fur coat. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025

Kidman’s luscious bobbed red wig is amazing — as is her monologue about why people have children — in Park Chan-wook’s English-language debut, which casts her as Mia Wasikowska’s mom. —Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025

Durand Jones & The Indications at Stubb's BBQ As the Austin summer gently fades, prepare for a luscious wave of soul as Durand Jones & The Indications bring their silky sound to town. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lucius, perhaps alteration of licius, short for delicious

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for luscious

• piceous

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Kids Definition

luscious

adjective

lus·​cious ˈləsh-əs 

1

: having a delicious taste or smell

luscious berries

2

: appealing to the senses : delightful

lusciously adverb

lusciousness noun