luxury

American  

[luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh-] / ˈlʌk ʃə ri, ˈlʌg ʒə- /

noun

• luxuries
  plural

1. a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity.

   Gold cufflinks were a luxury not allowed for in his budget.

2. free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being.

   a life of luxury on the French Riviera.

3. a means of ministering to such indulgence or enjoyment.

   This travel plan gives you the luxury of choosing which countries you can visit.

4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself.

   the luxury of an extra piece of the cake.

5. a foolish or worthless form of self-indulgence.

   the luxury of self-pity.

6. Archaic. lust; lasciviousness; lechery.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or affording luxury.

   a luxury hotel.

luxury British  

/ ˈlʌkʃərɪ /

noun

1. indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable, and sumptuous living

2. (sometimes plural) something that is considered an indulgence rather than a necessity

3. something pleasant and satisfying

   the luxury of independence

4. (modifier) relating to, indicating, or supplying luxury

   a luxury liner

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luxury Idioms  

1. see lap of luxury.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• semiluxury
  noun
• superluxury
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• luxuries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of luxury

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English luxurie, from Latin luxuria “rankness, luxuriance,” equivalent to luxur- (combining form of luxus “extravagance”) + -ia noun suffix; see -y ³

Explanation

A luxury is something that is pleasant to have or experience, but it is not necessary. For example, eating in a restaurant is a luxury — you can always cook and eat at home. In its earliest days, luxury meant "excess that is sinfully self-indulgent." Over time, this definition softened, losing the air of judgment, but retaining the sense that a luxury is enjoyable or comfortable, but not necessary. We often think of a luxury as something costly, but this isn't always so. For example, being able to sleep late or live within walking distance of loved ones or a beautiful forest can also be luxuries.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

luxury luxuries

In 2011, two other sites emerged: Poshmark, with a peer-to-peer marketplace, and the RealReal, focused on luxury items and authentication services.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

Whataboutism, it seems, has become a luxury good that is much harder to justify when times are hard.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

"The delegation will be under travel restrictions and will face prohibitions on the purchase of luxury and other goods per our policy. The delegation is smaller than last year."

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

All the high-end luxury department stores were a whole category of clients.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Switching between the computer and my cell phone, I make a list of luxury hotels and their phone numbers.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

She adds: "We're trying to manage our expenses as best we can, but we've definitely had to cut back on all of our extra spending and small luxuries."

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

When Phoebe Novack and Brian Aggrey married in 2023, they eschewed a traditional registry for household luxuries or a modern honeymoon fund.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

And some have added other luxuries, like recliner seating and dining options.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

This is the freezer as a larder of little luxuries.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

You can get sick of anything if you have too much of it, like all the petty luxuries my mother bought and quickly grew bored with.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• affluence
• comfort
• enjoyment
• extravagance
• leisure
• opulence
• richness