lush

¹

[ luhsh ]

adjective

, lush·er, lush·est.

1. (of vegetation, plants, grasses, etc.) luxuriant; succulent; tender and juicy.

   Synonyms: fresh, luxurious

   Antonyms: stale

2. characterized by luxuriant vegetation:

   a lush valley.

3. characterized by luxuriousness, opulence, etc.:

   the lush surroundings of his home.

lush

²

[ luhsh ]

noun

1. Disparaging and Offensive. a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

   Synonyms: sot, drunkard

2. intoxicating liquor.

verb (used without object)

1. to drink liquor.

verb (used with object)

1. to drink (liquor).

lush

¹

/ lʌʃ /

noun

1. a heavy drinker, esp an alcoholic
2. alcoholic drink

verb

1. to drink (alcohol) to excess

lush

²

/ lʌʃ /

adjective

1. (of vegetation) abounding in lavish growth
2. (esp of fruits) succulent and fleshy
3. luxurious, elaborate, or opulent

Derived Forms

• ˈlushly, adverb
• ˈlushness, noun

Other Words From

• lushly adverb
• lushness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lush¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English lusch “slack”; of disputed origin; perhaps cognate with Old English lysu “bad,” lēas “lax,” Middle Low German lasch “slack,” Old Norse lǫskr “weak,” Gothic lasiws “weak”; alternatively, perhaps from Old French lasche “cowardly, loose,” adjective derivative of laschier “to loosen,” from Late Latin laxicāre, derivative of laxāre; relax ( def )

Origin of lush²

First recorded in 1780–90; perhaps facetious application of lush ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lush¹

C19: origin unknown

Origin of lush²

C15: probably from Old French lasche lax, lazy, from Latin laxus loose; perhaps related to Old English lǣc, Old Norse lakr weak, German lasch loose

Example Sentences

Endless acres of farmland are edged by mountains and lush forest; when the trees blaze with autumn colors, it’s a heavenly sight.

From Los Angeles Times

The resulting lush and exotic soundscape, featuring plaintive pan flute and sprinkled with birdsong, turned out to be perfect for the game’s spooktastic forest levels.

From New York Times

KFARAKKA, Lebanon — In normal times, you’d rarely hear of Kfarakka, a hamlet nestled in the lush green mountains of north Lebanon whose primary claim to fame is that it’s the country’s top olive oil producer.

From Los Angeles Times

Others, sometimes next door, were almost entirely unaffected — some still with lush green lawns.

From Los Angeles Times

In the driveway of a lushly landscaped home just off the Malibu coast sits a luxury British automobile, rounded, elegant; a smooth-sailing land yacht.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abundant
• dense
• green
• lavish
• luscious
• luxuriant
• luxurious
• opulent
• ornate
• overgrown
• plush
• rich
• sensuous
• sumptuous
• verdant