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

Since his election earlier this year, the Pope himself has worn several statement-making liturgical looks, returning to a more traditional, flamboyant, and opulent style following the late Pope Francis’s more austere choices. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2025

In central Vermont, Woodstock Inn & Resort provides guests with opulent accommodations in the middle of its walkable (and wildly picturesque) namesake village. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025

In this guide from AD, learn more about the opulent style, discover its fascinating history, tour some of the world’s most beautiful Art Deco buildings in the world, and see why it is still beloved a century after its heyday. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025

Aromas of black currant, lavender, and cardamom draw you into the glass for ethereal flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and crushed violet petal wrapped in opulent tannins. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 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