sensual

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

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

This sensual period romance ends on a surprisingly quirky note.

— chris ball, cleveland.com, "Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Phantom Thread,' new on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 8 Apr. 2018
In the best examples, streaks of minerality can accompany these dramatic, sensual notes.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "Love chardonnay? Give viognier a try," 30 Mar. 2018
With its luminous glow and sensual curves, glass is surely one of the most mesmerizing of art forms, and these days, people can’t seem to get enough of it.

— harriot manley, San Francisco Chronicle, "Butte County artists putting their visions into glass," 16 Mar. 2018
TUESDAY Miguel Los Angeles genre-blending sensual songwriter and showman Miguel Pimental’s War & Leisure was a late-breaking 2017 standout, if not quite up to the standards of his best album, 2012’s Kaleidoscope Dream.

— bethany ao, Philly.com, "7 days of things to do in Philadelphia from March 18 to 24," 15 Mar. 2018
And the body awareness and mindfulness that yoga promotes will give you an extra sensual boost too.

— jessica migala, Health.com, "5 Ways Self Care Can Help You Have Better Sex," 12 Mar. 2018
And certainly not gay women as magnificently sensual as Ms. Lang.

— penelope green, New York Times, "K.D. Lang Doesn’t Have to Indulge Your Constant Cravings," 22 Mar. 2018
Get our daily newsletter A HOME-COOKED Ethiopian meal is a sensual journey, which extends beyond the warm flavours of ginger and cardamom that spice the languidly served stews.

— The Economist, "A child bride who longed to dance," 22 Mar. 2018
But Kurt Weill’s jazzy, sensual score has a mind of its own, at once bitter parody and suave seduction.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "Mack the Knife prowls anew with Boston Lyric Opera," 20 Mar. 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.