opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈä-pyə-lənt 

: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as

a

: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation

living in opulent comfort

opulent furnishings

an opulent hotel

b

dated : having a large estate or property : wealthy

an opulent family

opulent industrialists

opulently adverb

Synonyms of opulent

• wealthy
• rich
• affluent

Choose the Right Synonym for opulent

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of opulent in a Sentence

an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions

an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques

Recent Examples on the Web

The extravagant decade is also on WGSN’s radar, which named opulent gold a key trend driver for the year. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026

The other occurs when Marty descends a staircase in the opulent apartment that Kay shares with her rich husband, Milton (Kevin O’Leary). —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026

Each is designed to be opulent yet cozy, with décor hinting at the Portuguese royalty that inspired it, so expect antique furniture, high ceilings, plush velvet headboards, oversized chandeliers, and, in some cases, freestanding bathtubs placed strategically alongside the windows. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026

Adorned with 3,000 pendants, including 2,000 in signature Baccarat red crystal from fusing clear crystal with 24-karat gold powder, the opulent work of art is cradled by 15-foot installation and available for public viewing and viral social media moments day and night. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentus "abounding in resources, wealthy," from op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" + -ulentus "having in quantity, full of" (probably dissimilated from *-o-u̯ent-os, with Indo-European *-u̯ent-, suffix of possession) — more at opus

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈäp-yə-lənt 

: having or showing much wealth

opulently adverb