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

• 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

Inside, the opulent estate boasted a 3,000-square-foot ballroom with hardwood floors and an arched ceiling, a library, a billiard room and twin columned sunporches, along with 14-foot ceilings throughout the first two levels. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Nearly a century later, The Boca Raton, which houses five resorts and all the amazing amenities that come with them, has undergone a sweeping reimagination, unveiling a $375 million transformation that honors Mizner’s opulent aesthetic while refreshing every corner for modern luxury travelers. —Katie Lara, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The Mandarin Oriental is a luxury hotel chain that prides itself on its traditional, opulent aesthetic and extravagant accommodations. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2025

Even the courtyard, where guests can start their days with a leisurely breakfast, feels impossibly opulent. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025

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