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

• amenity
• comfort
• extra
• frill
• indulgence
• superfluity

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

With a $400 million luxury jet waiting in the wings and a $37 million check in hand − thanks to settlements from Meta and ABC− President Donald Trump's future presidential library plan is ready for take off. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 26 May 2025

Don’t even think of trying to bypass the French luxury house’s notoriously long waiting lists by tapping the workshop for a classic Birkin or Kelly. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping and torture of a cryptocurrency business partner in a SoHo luxury apartment in New York City, according to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and local media reports. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025

Meticulous is the first word that springs to mind when discussing luxury eyewear brand Morgenthal Frederics. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 23 May 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