sensuous

adjective

sen·​su·​ous ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəs 

1

a

: of or relating to the senses or sensible objects

b

: producing or characterized by gratification of the senses : having strong sensory appeal

sensuous pleasure

2

: characterized by sense impressions or imagery aimed at the senses

sensuous verse

3

: highly susceptible to influence through the senses

sensuosity

ˌsen(t)-shə-ˈwä-sə-tē 

noun

sensuously

ˈsen(t)-shə-wəs-lē 

adverb

sensuousness noun

Did you know?

Sensuous and sensual are close in meaning but not identical, and sensuous was actually coined by the poet John Milton so that he wouldn't have to use sensual. Sensuous usually implies pleasing of the senses by art or similar means; great music, for example, can be a source of sensuous delight. Sensual, on the other hand, usually describes gratification of the senses or physical appetites as an end in itself; thus we often think (perhaps unfairly) of wealthy Romans leading lives devoted to sensual pleasure. You can see why the Puritan Milton might have wanted another word.

Synonyms

• sensational
• sensitive
• sensorial
• sensory

Choose the Right Synonym for sensuous

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 sensuous in a Sentence

The sensuous sounds of soul music created a warm atmosphere.

A gentle, sensuous breeze caressed our faces.

Recent Examples on the Web

The grain of custom oak millwork is placed in contrasting directions on the kitchen cabinetry and the oversized panels cladding the breakfast nook wall around the custom sensuous banquette that is fabricated by Seventeen Second Design. —Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025

Its sensuous curves will bring panache to any room. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025

Cobbled together by a phalanx of producers, these sounds wash over Carti’s performances in a raging yet sensuous churn. —Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2025

Georges Bizet’s score accompanies the story of the sensuous Carmen, and the music of Mozart accompanies Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15. —Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin sensus sense + English -ous

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sensuous

adjective

sen·​su·​ous ˈsench-(ə-)wəs 

1

a

: having to do with the senses or with things perceived by the senses

b

: producing an agreeable effect on the senses

mild sensuous breezes

2

: able to be easily influenced through the senses

sensuously adverb

sensuousness noun