lush

adjective \ ˈləsh \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 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

Other obsessions are embodied by a visionary 1972 image by Purvis Young (1943-2010), a vernacular icon, with rows of figures and angels against a lush red ground, and two enormous white horses, symbols, for Young, of power and freedom.

— karen wilkin, WSJ, "‘History Refused to Die’ Review: A Visual Equivalent of Jazz," 30 May 2018
In the great room, a large brick hearth establishes the space, which looks out onto the lush grounds and vast lawn by way of full-height windows.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Groovy midcentury home with original retro details wants $600K," 25 May 2018
The club welcomed visitors to the lush grounds of the Phelps-Hatheway House and Museum for the plant sale.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Garden Club Market Draws A Crowd," 22 May 2018
The lush grounds, breathtaking views, and one-of-a-kind venue locations create a unique environment for overnight stays of day trippers.

— amy aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Marion County, where resorts cater to horses," 6 May 2018
The Broadway original was energetic and earnest; the film soundtrack was lush and familiar.

— joshua barone, New York Times, "The Trouble With Bernstein’s Broadway in the Concert Hall," 13 July 2018
The yard is lush, shady and, most important for a developer, really big.

— mary schmich, chicagotribune.com, "Awful! Sad! No More! Stop demolishing Chicago's beautiful old homes," 12 July 2018
His sound has always been lush and orchestral, and his roots reflect a communal feeling with time spent in punk bands and other outfits.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Moby Shares 'The Sorrow Tree' Video From New Live-Version Album: Listen," 6 July 2018
Rae’s music is lush and country-flavored, but complex and sombre, too.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Tedeschi Trucks And Jay Critch Are Just Two Of This Week's Must-See Shows," 2 July 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

This will encourage us all to turn to our lush, deep inner lives.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of July 9," 9 July 2018
Fat weaved in and out like white lines on the brisket highway without driving right off the road, every bite lush and smoky without going over the top.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "52 Weeks of BBQ: B&D Icehouse," 15 June 2018
My not-so-inner lush loves the unpretentious split of Prosecco that always accompanies my champagne cocktail with Abyssinian bitters.

— shakirah simley, Bon Appetit, "The Harlem of the West: What’s to Become of The Fillmore?," 6 June 2018
The fields, lush in some places but brown in others, are a reminder that Schultz, the coffee industry and the authorities charged with stopping climate change need to move fast.

— justin worland/alajuela, Time, "Your Morning Cup of Coffee Is in Danger. Can the Industry Adapt in Time?," 21 June 2018
Today, the Scott resembles a postindustrial sacrifice zone, its once lush floodplain buried under heaps of mine tailings.

— ben goldfarb, Science | AAAS, "Beaver dams without beavers? Artificial logjams are a popular but controversial restoration tool," 7 June 2018
Oregon: Umpqua Hot Springs The tiered pools that make up Umpqua Hot Springs are surrounded by vegetation that is so damned lush, the place is as relaxing to the eyes as the hot water is to your sore muscles.

— joe jackson, Outside Online, "The Secret to Happiness? Hot Springs," 1 June 2018
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

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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