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

Derived Forms

• voˈluptuousness, noun
• voˈluptuously, adverb

Other Words From

• vo·luptu·ous·ly adverb
• vo·luptu·ous·ness vo·lup·tu·os·i·ty [v, uh, -luhp-choo-, os, -i-tee], noun
• unvo·luptu·ous adjective
• unvo·luptu·ous·ly adverb
• unvo·luptu·ous·ness 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

A Zana Bayne piece feels structural to the point of sculptural — a leather crystal-studded corset flaring with hip ruffles that unfold like an accordion; a lace-up corset eyelet skirt that creates a soft, voluptuous curve line away from the body.

From Los Angeles Times

Sandra Milo is the indolent seductress, Claudia Cardinale is Guido’s ideal voluptuous virgin, Barbara Steele is a mod muse.

From New York Times

On June 1, MoMA PS1 in Queens hosts Night at the Museum, an after-hours party with access to its exhibition of photographs by Reynaldo Rivera and a shock-rock performance by the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

Since almost everyone understands exactly how Trump has lived his life, hearing the details of his creepy encounter with Daniels laid bare in a courtroom will not lose him many votes and may even improve his standing among retrograde males who envy him for bedding a voluptuous woman.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• appealing
• delightful
• sensuous
• sexy