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

This particular Cipriani, with its neo-Renaissance-style ceilings and grand, opulent interior, was the venue for Alexander Wang’s fall 2013 show, where a then-on-the-rise A$AP Rocky sat front-row. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Rooms Each of the 154 rooms and 54 suites at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a bespoke creation—layouts range from opulent, classic 18th-century Parisian grandeur to sleek Art Deco design, including spaces designed by Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

For Setting the Mood Heady, sensual, floral—Diptyque does its best work with this sexy and subtle candle that finds its fragrant roots in the opulent, white-blooming Mexican flower. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

Everything that makes Las Vegas fabulous — bright lights, over-the-top design, opulent food and drinks, and eccentric characters — can be found in spades at Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 10 Sep. 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