luxury

[ luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh- ]

noun

, plural lux·u·ries.

1. a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity:

   Gold cufflinks were a luxury not allowed for in his budget.

2. free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being:

   a life of luxury on the French Riviera.

3. a means of ministering to such indulgence or enjoyment:

   This travel plan gives you the luxury of choosing which countries you can visit.

4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself:

   the luxury of an extra piece of the cake.

5. a foolish or worthless form of self-indulgence:

   the luxury of self-pity.

6. Archaic. lust; lasciviousness; lechery.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affording luxury:

   a luxury hotel.

luxury

/ ˈlʌkʃərɪ /

noun

1. indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable, and sumptuous living
2. sometimes plural something that is considered an indulgence rather than a necessity
3. something pleasant and satisfying

   the luxury of independence

4. modifier relating to, indicating, or supplying luxury

   a luxury liner

Other Words From

• semi·luxu·ry noun plural semiluxuries
• super·luxu·ry noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of luxury¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English luxurie, from Latin luxuria “rankness, luxuriance,” equivalent to luxur- (combining form of luxus “extravagance”) + -ia noun suffix; -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of luxury¹

C14 (in the sense: lechery): via Old French from Latin luxuria excess, from luxus extravagance

Idioms and Phrases

see lap of luxury .

Example Sentences

From direct-to-consumer startups to luxury brands, mom-and-pop businesses to CPG manufacturers, there are many companies that believe Facebook’s ads are indispensable in helping sell products online.

From Digiday

Popular luxury brands now draw a lot of influence from streetwear while some of the legacy companies in the space are still figuring out how to naturally merge the two together, in order to get in front of the next generation of consumers.

From Digiday

More than $350,000 was allegedly routed to Kolfage, which he spent on, among other things, home renovations, a triple-engined outboard boat and a luxury SUV.

From ProPublica

In reality, Kolfage went on a shopping spree that included home renovations, a golf cart, a boat, a luxury SUV and plastic surgery.

From Fortune

In 2008, Levien joined Forbes to run the luxury women’s magazine Forbes Life.

From Digiday

For a while yoga and pilates classes were sought out at luxury gyms like Equinox.

From The Daily Beast

And that luxury may be a quirk of America, or at least white America.

From The Daily Beast

As quick as they were going out, they were getting stuff—living a lifestyle where they wanted luxury.

From The Daily Beast

He was 23 when they met, she 17, and both working at a luxury services company, Quintessentially.

From The Daily Beast

White people and nonblack people of color have the luxury of treating these cases as injustices.

From The Daily Beast

A little later it began to be cultivated in Germany where it had already been used as a favorite luxury.

From Project Gutenberg

Play-writing is a luxury to a journalist, as insidious as golf and much more expensive in time and money.

From Project Gutenberg

In a few minutes he was alone, in a magnificent apartment, where every tranquillizing luxury invited to repose.

From Project Gutenberg

In some cases a small stained glass window is set in the side or front, but only rich men can afford this luxury.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide lived on bread and cheese, and foresaw the time when cheese would be a sinful luxury.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affluence
• comfort
• enjoyment
• extravagance
• leisure
• opulence
• richness