voluptuary
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of voluptuary
First recorded in 1595–1605; from French voluptuaire, from Late Latin voluptuārius, from Latin “pertaining to (sensual) pleasure,” equivalent to volupt(ās) “pleasure, delight” + -ārius adjective suffix; see -ary; for -u- see voluptuous
Explanation
A voluptuary loves the good life — he is a person whose fondest wish might be to lie on a velvet sofa while being fed chocolate cupcakes. Another word for voluptuary is hedonist, someone whose favorite things are comfort and luxury, and whose highest priority is sensual pleasure. A voluptuary might be especially fond of fine clothing, delicious food, and a luxurious home. The Latin root of voluputary is voluptas, which means "pleasure," and that is exactly what a voluptuary is preoccupied with, his or her own pleasure.
Vocabulary lists containing voluptuary
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.
Gumprecht Weiss — we learn his name later on — had once been a voluptuary but in middle age now prefers an ascetic, philosophical life.
From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2015
Since 1896, Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” has provided opportunities for lush decadence — and who could object? — with its despotic voluptuary King Herod and the petulant title character.
From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2011
You probably don't picture a notorious voluptuary, a man who just last year was chowing on double burgers right before a conference on obesity.
From Salon • Dec. 28, 2010
In place of some Hollywood voluptuary, she gives us a Cleopatra who is a working queen and ruler: at one point we even see her in specs sitting at a desk signing state papers.
From The Guardian • Oct. 15, 2010
But what does such an unconscionable voluptuary care for that?
From Waldfried A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold
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.
