sensual

[sen-shoo-uhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to, inclined to, or preoccupied with the gratification of the senses or appetites; carnal; fleshly.

2. lacking in moral restraints; lewd or unchaste.

   Synonyms: lascivious

3. arousing or exciting the senses or appetites.

4. worldly; materialistic; irreligious.

5. of or relating to the senses or physical sensation; sensory.

6. pertaining to the philosophical doctrine of sensationalism.

sensual

/ ˈsɛnsjʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to any of the senses or sense organs; bodily

2. strongly or unduly inclined to gratification of the senses

3. tending to arouse the bodily appetites, esp the sexual appetite

4. of or relating to sensualism

Other Word Forms

• sensually adverb
• hypersensual adjective
• hypersensualness noun
• nonsensual adjective
• subsensual adjective
• transsensual adjective
• unsensual adjective
• sensualness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensual¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin sēnsuālis, equivalent to sēnsu-, stem of sēnsus sense + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensual¹

C15: from Late Latin sensuālis, from Latin sēnsus _sense . Compare French sensuel, Italian sensuale

Synonym Study

Sensual, sensuous, voluptuous refer to experience through the senses. Sensual refers, often unfavorably, to the enjoyments derived from the senses, especially from the gratification or indulgence of physical appetites: a sensual delight in eating; sensual excesses. Sensuous refers, favorably or literally, to what is experienced through the senses: sensuous impressions; sensuous poetry. Voluptuous implies the luxurious gratification of sensuous or sensual desires: voluptuous joys; voluptuous beauty. See also carnal.

Example Sentences

Whatever subject she’s writing about, Ms. Case tends to return to the sensual and tactile—she has a finely tuned ear for physical details that convey deeper meaning.

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Among the obsessions for fans have been a tiny engagement ring, a two-tier mirror glaze dark chocolate cake with raspberries and that sensual peach scene.

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Meta has also faced criticism after it was revealed internal guidelines once permitted AI companions to have "romantic or sensual" conversations with minors.

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In mixing the cerebral with the sensual, Eusexua mostly succeeds – but occasionally the precision of Twigs' vision suffocates the spontaneity she was aiming for.

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Men's suits were made softer and more sensual.

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Related Words

• exciting 
• sensuous 
• sexual 
• sexy 
• tactile 
• voluptuous