luscious

adjective

lus·​cious ˈlə-shəs How to pronounce luscious (audio)
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 sonorouslyGary Giddins
b
: excessively ornate
rich and luscious phrases, thick with imageryRuth 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.”

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 wine is made from Pinot Noir clones 828 and 777 and was allowed to complete malolactic fermentation before transfer to 55 percent new French oak barrels for an additional 16 months of aging. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Scallops With Peas, Mint and Shallots Peas, mint, heavy cream and a pinch of nutmeg make for a luscious sauce to serve as the bed for seared scallops. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 What helps one person regrow luscious tresses may do nothing for another. Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024 The jumble wouldn’t win a prize for beauty, but the taste is luscious. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2024 The superstar went on to say that at the time, her hair was luscious and long, and that her longtime friend and hairstylist wasn’t exactly excited about her decision. Anna Chan, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2024 Little tufts of mascarpone frosting look light and taste luscious next to the cardamom-carrot cake. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024 Customers have been known to drive 40 minutes to claim their spot in the busy dining room and indulge in the dry-aged brisket tamales, Flintstones-size beef ribs, and generous helpings of luscious creamed corn and potato salad. Kayla Stewart, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024 Here’s What to Know 04 of 16 Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting View Recipe Give your homemade frosting recipe just a subtle tangy note with the addition of luscious sour cream. Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luscious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

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Dictionary Entries Near luscious

Cite this Entry

“Luscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luscious. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

luscious

adjective
lus·​cious ˈləsh-əs How to pronounce luscious (audio)
1
: having a delicious taste or smell
luscious berries
2
: appealing to the senses : delightful
lusciously adverb
lusciousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on luscious

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