What does luxuriated mean?
Luxuriated is the past tense of luxuriate, a formal verb meaning to indulge oneself in luxury, comfort, or sensual pleasure. It often suggests an experience that is especially rich, abundant, or indulgent, as in describing someone enjoying a lavish holiday or taking comfort in a warm bath. The verb can also describe vegetation growing profusely, as when ferns “luxuriate” in a humid greenhouse. Its tone ranges from admiring to faintly critical, depending on the context: it may celebrate pleasure and abundance or imply extravagant excess. The word derives from Latin and retains a somewhat literary, old-fashioned quality, making it more vivid and evocative than ordinary alternatives such as enjoyed or indulged in. It is especially useful when the surrounding scene conveys conspicuous luxury, sensory pleasure, or vigorous natural growth.
To indulge oneself in luxury, pleasure, or excessive comfort; to live in extravagant comfort.
"The guests luxuriated in silk sheets and candlelit dinners."
Often slightly literary and sometimes used to suggest excessive indulgence.
To grow or develop with rich, abundant, or profuse growth.
"Tropical vines luxuriated throughout the abandoned garden."
Most often used of plants or vegetation; somewhat old-fashioned in modern English.
From the Latin luxuria, this word carries the image of pleasure taken to extravagant, indulgent lengths.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does luxuriated come from?
The word comes from Latin luxuriāre, “to luxuriate or live in luxury,” derived from luxuria, meaning extravagance, luxury, or excess. English borrowed the Latin verb in the 16th century, initially in the sense of growing rankly or abundantly. The later sense of indulging in luxury developed alongside the noun luxury and is now the verb's most familiar use.
Related word forms
How luxuriated is actually used
The verb is relatively formal and literary. In its sense of growing abundantly, it is especially common in descriptions of vegetation and is sometimes perceived as old-fashioned.