lush

adjective \ ˈləsh \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: lush in a Sentence

Definition of lush

1 a : growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage

lush grass

b : lavishly productive: such as

(1) : fertile

lush farmland

(2) : thriving

the lush idealism of the prewar period
—F. B. Millett

(3) : characterized by abundance : plentiful

lush campaign contributions
—Fulton Lewis

(4) : prosperous, profitable

firms with lush contracts

2 a : savory, delicious

a lush apple pie

b : appealing to the senses

the lush sounds of the orchestra

c : opulent, sumptuous

lush accommodations

—

lushly

adverb

—

lushness

noun

See lush defined for English-language learners

See lush defined for kids

Examples of lush in a Sentence

The frequent rainfall encourages the lush growth of trees, ferns, and shrubs.
She always wanted to live on a lush Caribbean island.
The hills are lush with deep, thick grass.
a lush and fruity wine

Recent Examples of lush from the Web

Verdant farmlands with strolling cows, lush forests and fragile shorelines, even bits of green in the gray of the city: These are some of the last best places in King County.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Constantine wants to leverage conservation fund to buy 65,000 acres of ‘last best places’," 23 May 2018
Agent Orange was the herbicide widely used during the war to eliminate the cover that the lush forests would give the enemy.

— david furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broward umpire, ex-FBI agent, Vietnam vet won't let cancer keep him off the field," 11 May 2018
Flames creep across what were once lush-green yards, leaving a smoldering trail of destruction.

— trevor hughes, USA TODAY, "Lava from Kilauea volcano destroys more homes on the Big Island," 7 May 2018
This aesthetic is especially robust in the northernmost reaches of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, where mirror-perfect lakes dot lush forests and wildlife abounds.

— steven stolman, Town & Country, "You Can Stay in an Architect's Dreamy Adirondack-Inspired Lake Cabin," 28 Nov. 2017
The zocalo could be home to markets, festivals and other events, according to the plan, which states the space would be lush with LED lighting and music.

— katrease stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Splash pad, plaza on the way for southwest Detroit's Clark Park," 23 May 2018
Imagine starting off every day in an oasis filled with lush greens and clean air.

— maria cassano, Allure, "7 Air-Purifying Shower Plants That Keep Your Bathroom Fresh," 16 May 2018
Out back, the lush, private backyard features a stone patio, fountain, and shed.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Adorable Craftsman bungalow asks $350K," 15 May 2018
Errol’s rolling links, which once had lush greens and fairways, are now dry and brown and pocked by bull thistles and other prickly weeds.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Apopka OKs proposed makeover of Errol Estate, its largest community," 18 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of lush

Middle English lusch soft, tender

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

lush Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of lush

profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

- profuse apologies

lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

- a lavish party

prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

- prodigal spending

luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

- a luxuriant beard

lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

- a lush green lawn

exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

- an exuberant imagination

lush

noun

Definition of lush

1 slang : intoxicating liquor : drink

2 : a habitual heavy drinker : drunkard

See lush defined for English-language learners

Examples of lush in a Sentence

He's just an old lush.
she accused him of being a lush and a spendthrift

Recent Examples of lush from the Web

Brody's space includes a lush, dinosaur-themed bedroom and a playroom with pink flamingo wallpaper.

— lisa van loo, azcentral, "Phoenix Coronado house renovation: Lofts, beams and Notorious B.I.G. wallpaper," 7 June 2018
Beasley’s lush and sculptures are anchored in fleshly experience.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At the ICA, Kevin Beasley alchemizes dark histories," 23 May 2018
In this enclave in Southwest Florida, the lush, pruned golf course and ritzy subdivisions are eclipsed only by the magnificent church that marks the town’s distinctive Catholic character.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "When Betsy DeVos Comes to a Catholic Campus," 8 May 2018
The result: extra-lush, extra-productive growth above ground.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "7 Secrets For A High-Yield Vegetable Garden, Even When You're Tight On Space," 19 Jan. 2017
Ali kept the rest of the actress's eye makeup on the subtler side with shimmery rose-gold shadow and lush lashes.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Met Gala 2018: Cynthia Erivo Brings Bejeweled Brow Art to the Red Carpet," 7 May 2018
Hotel De' Ricci Old school lushes and anyone who enjoys a tipple will love Rome's Hotel De' Ricci.

— cnt editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Best New Hotels in the World," 1 May 2018
Also incredibly private is the hyper-luxe La Residence, an intimate hotel designed with grand decor that has exotic peacocks roaming around lush gardens and a pristine pool with mountain views.

— kathryn romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, "How Hollywood Does Cape Town," 17 Apr. 2018
The pool was downsized to make room for a thatched roof cabana—a second open-air living room for the family—and ample green space lush with feathery seagrass.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Inside Eberjey Co-Founder Ali Mejia’s Bright Miami Bungalow," 16 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of lush

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1790

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

lush

verb

Definition of lush

lushed; lushing; lushes

slang

: drink

First Known Use of lush

circa 1811

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

LUSH Defined for English Language Learners

lush

adjective

Definition of lush for English Language Learners

: having a lot of full and healthy growth
: covered with healthy green plants
: having a pleasingly rich quality

lush

noun

Definition of lush for English Language Learners

: a person who is often drunk

LUSH Defined for Kids

lush

adjective \ ˈləsh \

Definition of lush for Students

lusher; lushest

1 : characterized by full and healthy growth

lush grass

2 : covered with a thick growth of healthy plants

a lush tropical island

3 : luxurious 1

a lush hotel lobby

—

lushly

adverb

—

lushness

noun

Learn More about lush

See words that rhyme with lush Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lush Spanish Central: Translation of lush Nglish: Translation of lush for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lush for Arabic speakers

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lush

Definition of lush

lushly

lushness

Examples of lush in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lush from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lush

lush Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of lush

lush

Definition of lush

Examples of lush in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lush from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lush

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

lush

Definition of lush

First Known Use of lush

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

LUSH Defined for English Language Learners

lush

Definition of lush for English Language Learners

lush

Definition of lush for English Language Learners

LUSH Defined for Kids

lush

Definition of lush for Students

lushly

lushness

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