lush

¹ American  

[luhsh] / lʌʃ /

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 American  

[luhsh] / lʌʃ /

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 British  

/ lʌʃ /

adjective

1. (of vegetation) abounding in lavish growth

2. (esp of fruits) succulent and fleshy

3. luxurious, elaborate, or opulent

---

lush ² British  

/ 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

Etymology

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

Explanation

Lush describes something growing in abundance, like the lush green grass that covers the lawn in the spring. Lush usually describes thick healthy plant growth, like the jungles of the rainforest that were so lush you couldn't walk through without chopping down branches. (Then it wasn't so lush anymore...oops!) Lush also means "plush" or even "extravagant" — like a thick shag carpet, music with lots of layers, or a bedroom wallpapered in velvet. Plants full of juice are lush, which is perhaps why a person who drinks too much alcohol is called a lush.

Example Sentences

Soldiers and police were stationed at multiple points in the lush parks surrounding the venue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Although the home is located on a popular street in Sag Harbor, it afforded Brooklyn-born Behar total privacy courtesy of the lush trees that surround the grounds.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Although it’s small, the unit is sunny and bright, with a pitched roof and a big picture window overlooking the lush backyard and swimming pool.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Tirayut Wongsantisuk and his wife moved to Chiang Mai in the 2010s, drawn by the hilly region's cool air and lush greenery.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

I felt old-timey, and something lush burst open in my chest.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

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