luxury

noun

lux·​u·​ry ˈlək-sh(ə-)rē  -zh(ə-)rē 

plural luxuries

1

: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment

lived in luxury

2

a

: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

one of life's luxuries

b

: an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease

… had the luxury of rejecting a handful of job offers …

—Terri Minsky

3

archaic : lechery, lust

luxury adjective

Synonyms of luxury

• amenity
• indulgence
• comfort

Examples of luxury in a Sentence

He spent a fortune on expensive wines and other luxuries.

Right now a new car is a luxury that I can't afford.

On my salary, I can afford few luxuries.

We were lucky to have the luxury of choosing from among several good options.

We can't afford the luxury of waiting any longer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two months later, again during a game, more water — reportedly from a malfunctioning sprinkler system — soaked a luxury suite. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

Plus, each Airstream is outfitted with a kitchenette, luxury bath products, and a flat-screen TV. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Tom Wilson, who oversaw the team’s business operations, is often credited with being the first person to move luxury seating from the upper deck to the lower levels. —John Seabrook, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

Saatva is known online for luxury in both its sleep products and customer treatment (Saatva mattresses come with complimentary white glove delivery and old mattress removal). —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English luxurie, from Anglo-French luxorie, from Latin luxuria rankness, luxury, excess; akin to Latin luxus luxury, excess

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing luxury

• in the lap of luxury
• luxury box
• the lap of luxury

Kids Definition

luxury

noun

lux·​u·​ry ˈləksh-(ə-)rē  ˈləgzh- 

plural luxuries

1

a

: free use or possession of costly food, dress, or anything that pleases a person

b

: great ease or comfort : rich surroundings

live in luxury

2

a

: something desirable but costly or hard to get

b

: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

luxury adjective