lush

¹ American  

[luhsh] / lʌʃ /

adjective

lusher, lushest

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.

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lush ² American  

[luhsh] / lʌʃ /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   sot, drunkard

2. intoxicating liquor.

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verb (used without object)

1. to drink liquor.

verb (used with object)

1. to drink (liquor).

lush ¹ British  

/ lʌʃ /

adjective

1. (of vegetation) abounding in lavish growth

2. (esp of fruits) succulent and fleshy

3. luxurious, elaborate, or opulent

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lush ² British  

/ lʌʃ /

noun

1. a heavy drinker, esp an alcoholic

2. alcoholic drink

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verb

1. to drink (alcohol) to excess

Other Word Forms

• lushly adverb
• lushness noun

Etymology

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

Related Words

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