Definition of SUMPTUOUS

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The word sumptuous can be used to describe both lush surroundings and rich desserts, and it has an equally rich history. The word, which appeared in English in the 15th century, derives via Middle English from the Latin noun sumptus, meaning "expense." "Sumptus" is related to the Latin verb sumere, which means "take" or "spend" and from which we get a treasure trove of useful verbs: "consume" ("to use up or spend"), "subsume" ("to include or place in something larger"), "resume" ("to take up again"), and "assume" ("to take upon oneself"). Another "sumere" descendant is our adjective "sumptuary," which means "relating to one's extravagant expenditures."

Examples of sumptuous in a Sentence

the cruise ship claims to offer sumptuous furnishings, exquisitely prepared cuisine, and stellar entertainment

Recent Examples on the Web Thick banding led the eye down to a sumptuous full skirt that gently grazed the floor. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Guest models Mirren, Longoria energize L’Oréal fashion show," 28 Sep. 2019 At a 2016 exhibition of Anthony van Dyck’s portraits at the Frick Collection in New York City, some of the most sumptuous work on view was made during the artist’s time in the Italian city. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, "Genoa and the Baroque: The most spectacular art you’ve never heard of," 29 Jan. 2020 Goalscoring extraordinaire Gonzalo Higuain scored against Bayer Leverkusen last time out, and in doing so continued a rather sumptuous personal record. — SI.com, "Juventus vs Lokomotiv Moscow: 8 Key Stats to Impress Your Mates Ahead of Champions League Clash," 22 Oct. 2019 Unable to keep down the rich sumptuous meals he was being fed, the president's weight plunged from 210 pounds to 130. — CBS News, "How doctors killed President Garfield," 5 July 2012 It is devoted to the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson al-Husayn, and in the 13th century, the Sunni ruler al-Malik al-Zahir, son of the great Muslim general Saladin, transformed it into the largest and most sumptuous shrine in all of Syria. — Time, "History Shows What’s Wrong With the Idea That War Is ‘Normal’ in the Middle East," 13 Jan. 2020 Besides the historical joints, the city brimmed with new eateries, sumptuous pastry shops and busy wine bars. — Washington Post, "In Lyon, a new museum celebrates a longstanding culinary tradition," 10 Jan. 2020 The choruses and arias, meanwhile, rise to moments of sumptuous lyricism that complement the precise, crystalline tone-colours elsewhere. — The Economist, "A new retelling of “The Snow Queen” is aimed squarely at adults," 31 Dec. 2019 The production features sumptuous costumes and impressive backdrops and 12-foot puppets (elephant, bull, bear and a particularly charming French unicorn). — Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, "DANCE REVIEW: Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker in Little Rock," 26 Dec. 2019

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