opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈä-pyə-lənt How to pronounce opulent (audio)
: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as
a
: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation
living in opulent comfort
opulent furnishings
an opulent hotel
b
dated : having a large estate or property : wealthy
an opulent family
opulent industrialists
opulently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for opulent

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of opulent in a Sentence

an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The aesthetics of the Studio 54 era—sparkling, opulent, free-spirited—shone through for Moore’s glam. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025 Catch a performance at the historic Landmark Theatre, a 1928 movie palace turned performing arts venue known for its opulent architecture and Broadway shows. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025 Yes, that Palazzo di Amore, the same opulent megamansion where Twitch superstar Kai Cenat has been livestreaming with a revolving door of A-list guests since September. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025 As the leader of LVMH with a 48% stake in the business, his fortune is largely at the whim of whether consumers are buying up opulent products like Louis Vuitton bags, TAG Heuer watches, and Dom Perignon champagne. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opulent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentus "abounding in resources, wealthy," from op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" + -ulentus "having in quantity, full of" (probably dissimilated from *-o-u̯ent-os, with Indo-European *-u̯ent-, suffix of possession) — more at opus

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opulent was circa 1518

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Cite this Entry

“Opulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opulent. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

opulent

adjective
op·​u·​lent ˈäp-yə-lənt How to pronounce opulent (audio)
: having or showing much wealth
opulently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on opulent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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