voluptuary

[ vuh-luhp-choo-er-ee ]

noun

, plural vo·lup·tu·ar·ies.

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

adjective

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

   voluptuary tastes.

voluptuary

/ vəˈlʌptjʊərɪ /

noun

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

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of voluptuary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of voluptuary¹

C17: from Late Latin voluptuārius delightful, from Latin voluptās pleasure

Example Sentences

But in a sense he remained a cognoscente’s darling until the end — an elegant, inscrutable voluptuary.

From New York Times

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

The movie’s Colette is never as wild as you might hope for a literary titan and voluptuary who first writes herself into history with her “Claudine” novels while bedding men and women alike.

From New York Times