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.

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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.

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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

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lush ² British  

/ lʌʃ /

noun

1. a heavy drinker, esp an alcoholic

2. alcoholic drink

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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; see 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

The aerial view of Islamabad is striking: solar panels stretch as far as the eye can see from the rooftops of the lush, green Pakistani capital.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Blending seamlessly into its lush surroundings, this snake had gone unnoticed for years, hiding in one of the world's richest biodiversity regions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

Outside the abode, there is a saltwater infinity pool, which offers breathtaking views from the lounge chairs, and plenty of lush greenery.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Now the once-empty backyard is a lush garden: towers of colorful black-eyed susans on arches, planters of nasturtiums and homegrown vegetables.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Their progress down the Amazon was slow, and after paddling less than two miles that day, steep hills covered with lush green trees appeared before them.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

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