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
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
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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.
Made entirely from woodcuts, these visually sumptuous objects are the subject of a show that looks at their incredibly short history, appearing for just three decades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
It’s a film unlike any other period piece, as sumptuous as decadent as a French pastry.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
The opener was a microcosm; Naderi robbing Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kelsy then picking out Neil for a sumptuous finish.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
Sorcinelli, aided by 11 seamstresses, displayed the green silk forming the basis of Leo's vestment for Rimini, rolling out the sumptuous fabric onto a long table.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
From where the sleeves ended, her soft arm-flesh swelled and dropped over her dimpled elbows in a sumptuous bulge.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
