lush

¹

[luhsh]

adjective

lusher, lushest 

1. (of vegetation, plants, grasses, etc.) luxuriant; succulent; tender and juicy.

   Synonyms: fresh, luxurious
   Antonyms: stale

2. characterized by luxuriant vegetation.

   a lush valley.

3. characterized by luxuriousness, opulence, etc..

   the lush surroundings of his home.

lush

²

[luhsh]

noun

1. Disparaging and Offensive.,  a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

   Synonyms: sot, drunkard

2. intoxicating liquor.

verb (used without object)

1. to drink liquor.

verb (used with object)

1. to drink (liquor).

lush

¹

/ lʌʃ /

adjective

1. (of vegetation) abounding in lavish growth

2. (esp of fruits) succulent and fleshy

3. luxurious, elaborate, or opulent

lush

²

/ lʌʃ /

noun

1. a heavy drinker, esp an alcoholic

2. alcoholic drink

verb

1. to drink (alcohol) to excess

Other Word Forms

• lushly adverb
• lushness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lush¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English lusch “slack”; of disputed origin; perhaps cognate with Old English lysu “bad,” lēas “lax,” Middle Low German lasch “slack,” Old Norse lǫskr “weak,” Gothic lasiws “weak”; alternatively, perhaps from Old French lasche “cowardly, loose,” adjective derivative of laschier “to loosen,” from Late Latin laxicāre, derivative of laxāre; relax ( def. )

Origin of lush²

First recorded in 1780–90; perhaps facetious application of lush ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lush¹

C15: probably from Old French lasche lax, lazy, from Latin laxus loose; perhaps related to Old English lǣc, Old Norse lakr weak, German lasch loose

Origin of lush²

C19: origin unknown

Example Sentences

I could see the familiar dirt tracks, and the houses drowning in lush vegetation.

Read more on BBC

A two-story Craftsman ADU in Hollywood — formerly a rickety garage — is designed to provide office space, a gym and housing while preserving a lush garden.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Members of Altadena Green, a group of arborists and landscape experts, estimate that the town known for its lush canopy of trees has lost at least 50% of its pre-fire canopy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those who live there, or have explored beyond the obvious haunts, will tell you Bali's natural beauty is alive and well, from dolphin-watching and dive explorations, to the lush landscape in the quieter north.

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Another attraction: the lush grounds, “lovingly overseen by Uncle Joe, who conducts a weekly walking tour. I can’t keep track of the dozens of milestone events we have celebrated at Napili Kai.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abundant 
• dense 
• green 
• lavish 
• luscious 
• luxuriant 
• luxurious 
• opulent 
• ornate 
• overgrown 
• plush 
• rich 
• sensuous 
• sumptuous 
• verdant