voluptuous

[vuh-luhp-choo-uhs]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or ministering to indulgence in luxury, pleasure, and sensuous enjoyment.

   a voluptuous life.

2. derived from gratification of the senses.

   voluptuous pleasure.

3. directed toward or concerned with sensuous enjoyment or sensual pleasure.

   voluptuous desires.

4. sensuously pleasing or delightful.

   voluptuous beauty.

voluptuous

/ vəˈlʌptjʊəs /

adjective

1. relating to, characterized by, or consisting of pleasures of the body or senses; sensual

2. disposed, devoted, or addicted to sensual indulgence or luxurious pleasures

3. provocative and sexually alluring, esp through shapeliness or fullness

   a voluptuous woman

Other Word Forms

• voluptuously adverb
• voluptuousness noun
• voluptuosity noun
• unvoluptuous adjective
• unvoluptuously adverb
• unvoluptuousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of voluptuous¹

First recorded 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin voluptuōsus, equivalent to volupt(ās), “pleasure” + -ōsus -ous; -u- probably by association with sumptuōsus sumptuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of voluptuous¹

C14: from Latin voluptuōsus full of gratification, from voluptās pleasure

Synonym Study

See sensual.

Example Sentences

Nearby, a gorgeous photograph of a single gnarled tree amid green rolling hills becomes quietly apocalyptic, as if the voluptuous earth is preparing to shake off morbid memories.

From Los Angeles Times

We both possessed a flair for the dramatic, a love of cinema, and a voluptuous desire to be as much of ourselves as we could be.

From Los Angeles Times

His voluptuous movement, however sharp or delicate, flows on waves of musical notes.

From New York Times

Its narrative arc is as thoroughly well-documented as that voluptuous lobster spaghetti.

From Salon

Emin’s oeuvre has only ever orbited one thing: herself, in her many mournful, voluptuous, warty, wild and furious incarnations.

From New York Times

Related Words

• appealing 
• delightful 
• sensuous 
• sexy