sensual

adjective sen·su·al \ ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl , -shəl \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

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Examples: sensual in a Sentence

Definition of sensual

1 : relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : fleshly

2 : sensory 1

3 a : devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites

b : voluptuous

c : deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests : worldly; especially : irreligious

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sensuality

play \ˌsen(t)-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē\ noun

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sensually

play \ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wə-lē, ˈsen-shə-lē\ adverb

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Examples of sensual in a Sentence

A sharp observer with a pleasing eye for sensual detail, Jaffrey weaves a richly textured story in which she effortlessly mingles quotidian dramas with historic events including the partition of India. —Michelle Green, People, 6 Nov. 2006
And Rousseau, in his Confessions, wrote of the sensual pleasure he found in simple meals of peasant cheeses and breads. —Andrea Lee, Gourmet, May 2004
Certain fragrances apparently heighten sensual experiences.
the sensual feel of a velvet shirt against the skin

Recent Examples of sensual from the Web

Accompanied by music and poetry from some of Maharashtra’s greatest writers, the dancers thrilled spectators through graceful, sensual, and sometimes straight-up erotic choreography.

— jeff roy, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Guide to Mumbai's Diverse LGBTQ+ Arts Scene," 13 June 2018
Season 1 was known for its, ahem, relatively sensual (re: smokin') love scenes — something that was sorely missed in season 2 (so political!).

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Everything We Know About "Outlander" Season 3," 28 Aug. 2017
But tango is not just the sensual, rose-between-the-lips stereotype, says Relucio, who has been dancing for 12 years and apart from his full-time job at a financial advising company, teaches tango classes throughout Chicago.

— savannah eadens, chicagotribune.com, "Windy City Tango Festival brings world-champion dancers to Lakeview this weekend," 5 July 2018
L'Enfant Secret may lend itself to cerebral discussion, but its chief pleasures are sensual.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "L’Enfant Secret is so intimate it feels like a confession," 25 May 2018
And for much of that time, Battista’s Alicia instructs Le Blanc’s Logan in the sensual art of the hair flip.

— mitchel benson, sacbee, "‘Thanksgiving Play’ gone off the rails? That’s the genius in Capital Stage's comedy," 5 July 2018
But this normal New York City love story torques quickly into a sensual, surreal comedy noir when Emer comes waist-to-face with a short, angry, Celtic fairy whose Bean Sidhe folkloric lineage foretells death.

— don oldenburg, USA TODAY, "David Duchovny rides a winner with his third novel, 'Miss Subways'," 30 Apr. 2018
Where one artist might focus almost microscopically on, say, certain plants in a painting, women were universally depicted as sensual but distant.

— charles desmarais, SFChronicle.com, "‘Truth and Beauty’ at Legion of Honor: Pure visual pleasure of an idiosyncratic style," 29 June 2018
The first earth sign of the zodiac, these celestial bulls love to have their senses tantalized: Taureans get weak in the knees for gourmet food, aromatic fragrances, and sensual massages.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "How Each Zodiac Sign Is Most Likely to Cheat in a Relationship," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sensual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sensual

Middle English, from Late Latin sensualis, from Latin sensus sense

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sensual Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of sensual

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body. carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

- a slave to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

- a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

- fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

- led a mindless animal existence

sensuous, sensual, luxurious, voluptuous mean relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses. sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure.