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 of luscious

• 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

Prepared this way, even underripe figs come out luscious, soft, bright and sweet. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Afterwards, fresh herbs and butter can be added to create a luscious pan sauce. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026

The look is crisp, angular, and metallic, with lots of straight lines and slender silhouettes, and sits in pleasing contrast alongside luscious velvet and scratchy linen, rough stone, warm terracotta, or grainy timber. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Being ruled by luscious Venus makes this retrograde all the more personal for you, Libra. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026

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