sensual

[ sen-shoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, inclined to, or preoccupied with the gratification of the senses or appetites; carnal; fleshly.
2. lacking in moral restraints; lewd or unchaste.

   Synonyms: lascivious

3. arousing or exciting the senses or appetites.
4. worldly; materialistic; irreligious.
5. of or relating to the senses or physical sensation; sensory.
6. pertaining to the philosophical doctrine of sensationalism.

sensual

/ ˈsɛnsjʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to any of the senses or sense organs; bodily
2. strongly or unduly inclined to gratification of the senses
3. tending to arouse the bodily appetites, esp the sexual appetite
4. of or relating to sensualism

Derived Forms

• ˈsensually, adverb
• ˈsensualness, noun

Other Words From

• sen·su·al·ly adverb
• hy·per·sen·su·al adjective
• hy·per·sen·su·al·ness noun
• non·sen·su·al adjective
• sub·sen·su·al adjective
• trans·sen·su·al adjective
• un·sen·su·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensual¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin sēnsuālis, equivalent to sēnsu-, stem of sēnsus sense + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensual¹

C15: from Late Latin sensuālis, from Latin sēnsus sense . Compare French sensuel, Italian sensuale

Synonym Study

Sensual, sensuous, voluptuous refer to experience through the senses. Sensual refers, often unfavorably, to the enjoyments derived from the senses, especially from the gratification or indulgence of physical appetites: a sensual delight in eating; sensual excesses. Sensuous refers, favorably or literally, to what is experienced through the senses: sensuous impressions; sensuous poetry. Voluptuous implies the luxurious gratification of sensuous or sensual desires: voluptuous joys; voluptuous beauty. carnal.

Example Sentences

But the room was clearly thick with a lot of love and anticipation for Theophilio creative director Edvin Thompson’s always sensual, elegant and sometimes irreverent vision.

From Los Angeles Times

Their differences play out against a backdrop of jerky, sensual rhythms and dark emotions.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a dazzling display of flexibility and sensual athleticism and the crowd loved it.

From Los Angeles Times

As the dozen songs progressed, Bullock, who is a sensual dancer, absorbed grief and joy, each emotion ever more intense.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hannibal” broke that barrier a decade ago by using fetching cinematographic and sensual editing to make cannibalism look appetizing.

From Salon

Related Words

• exciting
• sensuous
• sexual
• sexy
• tactile
• voluptuous