sensual

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

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

See sensual defined for English-language learners

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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

And now, add this to his list of sensual pop-star flexes: the leopard silk tracksuit.

— megan gustashaw, GQ, "John Legend Dressed Like the World's Dopest Grandpa," 25 Aug. 2017
The sensual quality of such paintings is evocative of the floral abstractions done by the 20th-century painter Georgia O'Keeffe.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "Gliese a natural at depicting nature," 18 Aug. 2017
Dardati noticed during walks that while Smokey moved at a brisk pace, Brickell ambled to absorb the walk’s sensual delights.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "The doggy lived after falling off a bridge. But she couldn’t survive this.," 14 Aug. 2017
Cirque du Soleil takes a sensual dive into a Mexican pool with 'Luzia' »

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "Report from Stratford Fest: Women directors capture fervor of the moment," 4 Aug. 2017
Violet, dragonfruit, wild fig, and vetiver are among the notes included in this sensual fragrance.

— vanityfair.com, "Some of the Best Scents of Summer 2017," 6 July 2017
Follegati’s choreography is athletic, exciting and sensual.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "One last dispatch from the Fringe: 8 shows close annual festival," 4 July 2017
The leitmotif of small cone hats and sensual face veils gave the silken 61-piece show a feel for the theatricality of the 1920s.

— Bloomberg.com, "Chanel Aims High With Starry 'Eiffel Tower' Paris Show," 4 July 2017
Still, none of it really adds up to much, and the sensual flourishes -- like sneaking off together during a masked ball -- can't obscure the laughs that the most risible dialogue elicits.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Fifty Shades Darker' careens from erotic to absurd," 29 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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sensual Synonyms

Synonyms

carnal, fleshly, luscious, lush, sensuous, voluptuous

Related Words

bodily, corporeal; agreeable, delectable, delicious, delightful, dreamy, gratifying, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, scrumptious; epicurean, luxurious, self-indulgent

Near Antonyms

harsh, painful, uncomfortable; disgusting, foul, hideous, icky

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.

- the sensuous delights of great music

sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves.

- a life devoted to sensual pleasures

luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor.

- a luxurious hotel

voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure.

- a voluptuous feast

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

SENSUAL Defined for English Language Learners

sensual

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adjective

Definition of sensual for English Language Learners

: relating to, devoted to, or producing physical or sexual pleasure

SENSUAL Defined for Kids

sensual

play

adjective sen·su·al \ ˈsen-shə-wəl \

Definition of sensual for Students

:relating to the pleasing of the senses

Medical Dictionary

sensual

play

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

medical Definition of sensual

1 :sensory 1

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

3 :devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites

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Examples of sensual in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sensual from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sensual

sensual Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of sensual

Other Psychology Terms

SENSUAL Defined for English Language Learners

sensual

Definition of sensual for English Language Learners

SENSUAL Defined for Kids

sensual

Definition of sensual for Students

Medical Dictionary

sensual

medical Definition of sensual

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