sensual

adjective

sen·​su·​al ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl How to pronounce sensual (audio)
-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : fleshly
2
3
a
: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites
c
: deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests : worldly
especially : irreligious
sensually
ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wə-lē How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shə-lē
adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

gave in 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

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 on the Web The couple — who famously once engaged in an on-air, sensual foot massage and staged a sweaty wrestling match with Consuelos in a tight singlet — returned to their unofficial post as morning TV's horniest duo with a hilarious innuendo at the top of Wednesday's show. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 The ecstatic effect is one of historical ethnography, a reanimation not only of the poet’s creative vitality but also of the vigorous, colorful, sensual, violent poetry of daily village life and ritual that surrounded him. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 Pulsating with pumpkin extract, shea butter, and sensual cacao seed, the new scrub offers more than just a hushed bikini line. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 Bodine Born in Amsterdam and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Bodine Koehler Peña is a former model turned musician who combines sultry vocals with equally sensual beats. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Totally inspired by Parisian glam in the 1920s, Cohen and her savoir-faire sensibilities have created sensual fashion in a tasteful and playful way, draped in bows. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 Either one-of-a-kind or made in very limited editions, Cultus Artem 18-karat gold jewels embody a sensual spectrum of textures, hues, forms and concepts that are subtly luxurious in form, concept and materials. Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 In 1931, prolific scientist-director Jean Painlevé shot eight delightful, surrealist short films underwater, capturing phenomena both scary and sensual, including the birth of jellyfish and the mating rituals of octopi. Carolina Dalia Gonzalez, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024 If fantasy literature is epic and spellbinding and romance is wrenching and sensual, then romantasy should be the best of both literary worlds. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sensual was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sensual

Cite this Entry

“Sensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensual. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sensual

adjective
sen·​su·​al ˈsench-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the pleasing of the senses
2
: devoted to the pleasures of the senses
sensuality noun
sensually
ˈsench-(ə-)wə-lē How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

sensual

adjective
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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