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

With its imperial architecture, opulent palaces, and rich cultural heritage, the Russian city was the centerpiece of many itineraries. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

From there, a formal dining room seats 16 and a vaulted family room connects to a light gray-hued kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island and top-notch stainless appliances, while an opulent primary suite sports a lounge, a massive walk-in closet, and a marble and travertine bath. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 July 2025

But experts said being considered wealthy doesn’t necessarily equate being opulent in all life choices. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 July 2025

Her last trip—avec partner and husband-to-be Callum Turner—saw the pair head to buzzy bistro Chez Janou, the opulent Costes hotel, and for an intimate late-night dinner at Bistrot des Tournelles. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 July 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