voluptuary

American  

[vuh-luhp-choo-er-ee] / vəˈlʌp tʃuˌɛr i /

noun

plural

voluptuaries

1. a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and sensual pleasure.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by preoccupation with luxury and sensual pleasure.

   voluptuary tastes.

voluptuary British  

/ vəˈlʌptjʊərɪ /

noun

1. a person devoted or addicted to luxury and sensual pleasures

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adjective

1. of, relating to, characterized by, or furthering sensual gratification or luxury

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; -ary; for -u- voluptuous

Example Sentences

The blasé voluptuary in his livery act was always just a personal amusement, a playful outward expression.

From Washington Post

Colman won last year’s best-actress Oscar for her portrayal of another British monarch in “The Favourite,” the eccentric and voluptuary Queen Anne, but Elizabeth, aloof to the point of refrigeration, is a different proposition altogether.

From New York Times

There is a price for its voluptuary nature: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is demanding of water and food, pest-prone, and difficult to overwinter indoors.

From Washington Post

Julián, a hacking, aging voluptuary, chastises a couple he knows for avoiding him in public because of their inability to face his illness.

From New York Times

Certainly there was personal enmity between Hamilton and the bankrupt “voluptuary” he called Burr.

From Washington Post