What does luxuriousness mean?
Luxuriousness is a formal noun meaning the quality of being luxurious: richly comfortable, elegant, or characterized by expensive and pleasurable material surroundings. It can describe the atmosphere of a place, a style of living, or the character of an experience. Unlike stronger terms such as extravagance, luxuriousness does not necessarily imply wasteful or ostentatious spending; a setting may feel luxurious because it is beautifully appointed, spacious, and comfortable. The word is especially useful in descriptive writing, where it names a quality that might otherwise require a longer explanation. It is most often found in literary, editorial, and luxury-brand contexts, rather than in casual speech, and it carries a generally positive association with comfort, refinement, and abundance.
nounThe quality or state of being luxurious, characterized by rich comfort, elegance, or material abundance.
- The quality or state of being luxurious.
"The hotel's spacious suites and attentive service gave the evening a sense of quiet luxuriousness."
"The marble hall was designed to convey an air of luxuriousness without appearing ostentatious."
"Their modest home was distinguished by a quiet, understated luxuriousness."
The plural is grammatically regular but rare in use.
"The designer's work explores contrasting forms of luxuriousness."
The word roots in Latin luxus, whose associations with excess and display helped shape the modern idea of luxury.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does luxuriousness come from?
The word derives from the adjective luxurious, which in turn comes from luxury. Both trace back to Latin luxus, a term associated with excess, abundance, or extravagant display. English borrowed these forms during the early modern period, with the sense developing toward the comfort, richness, and elegance associated with luxury today.
Related word forms
How luxuriousness is actually used
This is a formal or literary noun. It is more common in descriptive writing than in everyday conversation, and it can suggest elegance and comfort as well as conspicuous expense.
Easily confused with luxuriousness
Luxuriousness refers to the quality of being luxurious, whereas luxuriance usually describes abundant, lush growth.
Luxuriousness emphasizes rich comfort and luxury, while extravagance highlights excessive or flamboyant spending or display.