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

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 Walk the labyrinthine streets to Akra, a cavernous restaurant in the souk that sells all kinds of hummus, including my favorite, with fatteh, covered in a luscious layer of labneh. — John Gregory-smith, Condé Nast Traveler, "In Lebanon, Let Food Be Your Guide," 16 Oct. 2018 The mustache, the luscious white locks, the tall stature—there's so much to love about Sam Elliott, but there's nothing more swoon-worthy than that husky voice. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "Sam Elliott Was Once Told to 'Fix' His Iconic Husky Voice," 9 Oct. 2018 Trust that the touchiest spots and most tender desires are what wants to come undone and flow freely from your luscious loins. — Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, "Monthly Lovescopes October 2018," 3 Oct. 2018 Chicken and Pomegranate Quinoa Bowl Avocado adds a luscious, creamy texture to everything from soups to grain bowls. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "This Is How to Pick the Best Avocado Every Time," 28 Aug. 2018 Stern likes Kjaer Weis Highlighter in Radiance for cheeks because its creamy, luscious texture and faint iridescence, as well as Glossier Haloscope in Quartz for its easy-to-apply stick formula and wear-anywhere subtlety. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "How to Get Glowing Skin," 25 June 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

20 Jan 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

: 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