sumptuous
Americanadjective
-
entailing great expense, as from choice materials, fine work, etc.; costly.
a sumptuous residence.
-
luxuriously fine or large; lavish; splendid.
a sumptuous feast.
- Synonyms:
- munificent, luxurious, magnificent
adjective
-
expensive or extravagant
sumptuous costumes
-
magnificent; splendid
a sumptuous scene
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of sumptuous
1475–85; < Latin sūmptuōsus, equivalent to sūmptu ( s ) expense ( see sumptuary) + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
Sumptuous could be used to describe a room appointed with the finest furniture, a lush orchestra playing a beautiful symphony, or a meal meant for a king. Sumptuous describes something that costs a lot and imparts sensory pleasure. Sumptuous comes from the Latin sumptus, which means "expensive." Sumptus is related to sumere, which means "to consume." The word sumptuous carries both meanings with it. It is a pricey, luxurious thing that's meant to be consumed or enjoyed. You wouldn't use sumptuous to describe a tractor, even if it has leather seats.
Vocabulary lists containing sumptuous
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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.
Sumptuous in every way—color, paper stock, design—“The Art of Bob’s Burgers” is a triumph.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
Sumptuous drives both down the ground and through the covers, masterful sweeps and some crunching pull shots - whatever England threw at her, Mandhana had the answer.
From BBC • Jun. 28, 2025
Sumptuous silks and gilded homes make up the lush material world on screen.
From Salon • May 31, 2021
Sumptuous yet strangely flat, it is a hybrid work, a kind of oratorio that Berlioz called a “légende dramatique” and intended for concert performance.
From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2014
Sumptuous in colouring, its rhythmic movement is pompous, its tone hieratic; and he so manipulated it that it was a perfect medium to depict the Paris of his time.
From Unicorns by Huneker, James
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.
