sumptuous

adjective sump·tu·ous \ ˈsəm(p)(t)-shə-wəs , -shəs , -shwəs \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of sumptuous

: extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent

sumptuous banquets

a sumptuous residence

; also : magnificent 4

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sumptuously

adverb

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sumptuousness

noun

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Examples of sumptuous in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of sumptuous from the Web

Don’t skip the sumptuous grouper with cornbread gnudi or the the crab beignets.

— shayne benowitz, miamiherald, "How to spend four days island-hopping in the Florida Keys | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
The sumptuous feast includes Kalua pork, poke, and other traditional Hawaiian food accompanied by an engaging show.

— arthur levine, USA TODAY, "Disney's Aulani resort: A Hawaiian vacation, with characters," 8 Apr. 2018
The 24-room Villa Brown also arrived downtown in 2017, sumptuous fabrics and all, as did the Orient Hotel, farther south in the German Colony neighborhood, and big-brand luxury chains Four Seasons and W Hotels have openings slated for coming years.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reinvention of Jerusalem," 29 Mar. 2018
And, the truly sumptuous series eventually crafts a pretty compelling case.

— ariana romero, refinery29.com, "Trust Is A Lush Look At Rich People Problems & Misogyny," 20 Mar. 2018
Karawan Riad Located in the Andalous Quarter, Karawan Riad is a serene and sumptuous escape from the maelstrom of the medina.

— lindsay cohn, ELLE Decor, "Why Every Culture Aficionado Needs to Visit Fez, Morocco," 6 Mar. 2018
By the time the Crusaders entered the once-sumptuous complex more than 700 years later, it had already been battered by neglect and earthquakes, and largely destroyed once during a Persian conquest and later at the order of a mad Egyptian king.

— andrew lawler, Smithsonian, "A Crusader-Era High Altar Resurfaces in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher," 16 Feb. 2018
Guest conductor Gemma New and violinist Paul Huang team up for Dvorak’s underrated but sumptuous concerto, along with two chestnuts.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "Get your first look at the next season at Charlotte Symphony," 4 Feb. 2018
This corn gazpacho is a simply sumptuous meal, super-refreshing and so easy to make.

— lulu powers, House Beautiful, "Cool Down on Summer Nights With This Sweet Corn Gazpacho," 12 July 2017

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.

Did You Know?

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."