sumptuous
adjective
Did you know?
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may be a few of your favorite things, but are they sumptuous? Alas, though the best things in life are often free, sumptuous is a child of the Latin word sumptus, meaning “expense,” and it typically describes things that can only be had at some significant expense. A sumptuous lifestyle, for example, is more likely to involve silver-white bling than a silver-white winter that melts into spring. Sumptus has another English relation, this one tied even more closely to conspicuous consumption: sumptuary laws are largely historical regulations limiting extravagant expenditures and habits, especially on moral or religious grounds. (The sump in consumption is coincidental; that word comes from consume, which has its roots in Latin sumere meaning “to take up, take.”)
Examples of sumptuous in a Sentence
Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
From July 8 to 11, Prime Day 2025 will offer rare discounts on everything from travel essentials to dinnerware sets to, yes, sumptuous sheets that suit every type of sleeper.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 29 June 2025
The mega-party was initially planned at the sumptuous 16th century Scuola Grande della Misericordia building, and relocated to Venice’ ancient Arsenale shipyards located farther from the city center.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 June 2025
The 69-year-old attended the sumptuous summer affair alongside her daughters Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, as well as her longtime partner, Corey Gamble.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sumptuous
Cite this Entry
“Sumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumptuous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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sumptuous
adjective
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