voluptuous

adjective vo·lup·tu·ous \ və-ˈləp(t)-shə-wəs , -shəs \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of voluptuous

1 a : suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form

voluptuous nudes

b : full of delight or pleasure to the senses : conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification : luxurious

a voluptuous dance

voluptuous ornamentation

a voluptuous wine

2 : given to or spent in enjoyment of luxury, pleasure, or sensual gratifications

a long and voluptuous holiday
—Edmund Wilson

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voluptuously

adverb

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voluptuousness

noun

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Examples of voluptuous in a Sentence

the voluptuous richness of the music

Recent Examples of voluptuous from the Web

If anything, that sounds like a more voluptuous woman to me.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Amy Schumer on the Body Shaming Backlash Around Her New Movie: 'We All Struggle with Self-Esteem'," 17 Apr. 2018
The heads look skeletal, and their juxtaposition with the voluptuous bodies imbues the images with the suggestion of death but also an alien quality.

— sharon mizota, latimes.com, "In Katherine Sherwood's nude paintings, disability and race enter the picture," 2 Apr. 2018
Since debuting in theaters 28 years ago, the voluptuous sea witch has become a popular gay Halloween costume.

— nico lang, Harper's BAZAAR, "Disney's Long, Complicated History with Queer Characters," 21 Mar. 2017
Or have what must be the world's most voluptuous Tom Collins variant as a dessert drink.

— alison cook, Houston Chronicle, "Burger Friday: Night Heron in Montrose," 21 Mar. 2018
And while the Los Angeles stunner frequently experiments with extensions and clip-in fringe, tonight's chic transformation left the focus squarely on her radiant skin and voluptuous curves.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "Chrissy Teigen Turns a Bold Bob Into the Ultimate Pregnancy Win at The Grammys," 29 Jan. 2018
Media: Jukin Media One could gaze at the piece for days and not figure it out, swearing that the voluptuous form represents a pair of bodies in some sort of fetal embrace.

— molly glentzer, Houston Chronicle, "Art Daybook: Roberto Cortázar's painting as existential crisis," 21 Feb. 2018
So did voluptuous women, and no one did zaftig better than Gaston Lachaise.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "Mueck's eerily lifelike sculptures return to Modern, contrast with works at Amon Carter," 16 Feb. 2018
These voluptuous jet black brows were show-stopping enough to stand up to the actress's pillow-y lips, porcelain skin, and large baubles.

— hannah morrill, Allure, "13 Most Iconic Eyebrows of All Time," 29 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of voluptuous

Middle English, from Latin voluptuosus, irregular from voluptas pleasure, from volup pleasurable; akin to Greek elpesthai to hope, Latin velle to wish — more at will

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

voluptuous Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of voluptuous

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.