luscious
Americanadjective
-
highly pleasing to the taste or smell.
luscious peaches.
- Synonyms:
- palatable, delectable
- Antonyms:
- unpalatable, disgusting
-
richly satisfying to the senses or the mind.
the luscious style of his poetry.
-
richly adorned; luxurious.
luscious furnishings.
-
arousing physical, or sexual, desire; voluptuous.
a luscious figure.
-
sweet to excess; cloying.
adjective
-
extremely pleasurable, esp to the taste or smell
-
very attractive
-
archaic cloying
Synonym Usage
See delicious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of luscious
1375–1425; late Middle English lucius, unexplained variant of licius, aphetic variant of delicious
Explanation
Calling something luscious means it's appealing and incredibly pleasing to the senses. That goes for good-looking people as well as a rich piece of chocolate cake. An adjective meaning richly appealing or scrumptious, luscious is actually believed to be a shortened version of delicious. Synonyms include succulent, savory and enticing — all words that can also be used to either describe a perfectly cooked steak or your crush's unbelievable, irresistible lips.
Vocabulary lists containing luscious
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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Simply Scrumptious! Synonyms for "Delicious"
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"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 6–11
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I didn’t mind that Davis sings “Fallin’,” as Ellington has a voice of luscious thunder.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026
Since 2022, she's cast a spell on the charts with swoonsome love songs that mix classic jazz vocals and luscious orchestrations with witty, confessional lyrics.
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
Both leads are basically likable but unfortunately blank, Ms. Bailey especially, though they look suitably attractive when showered by sprinklers in vineyards full of luscious grapes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026
“It’s the most luscious, creamy, large and delicious avocado I’ve ever tasted,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2025
I was awed by the immense beauty of South Africa, seen from high up in the clouds: rolling hills and plains, meandering rivers and mountain ranges, thick forests, magnificent coastlines, luscious farmland.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
