What does opulent mean?
Opulent describes something rich, luxurious, lavish, or abundantly provided. Its most familiar use is for costly surroundings or displays: an opulent palace might have marble floors, silk furnishings, and elaborate decoration. The word can also mean plentiful, as when a region is described as opulent with wildlife or a historical account as opulent in detail. This second sense is less common but fully established. Opulent tends to sound formal and slightly grand, often suggesting extravagance or conspicuous display rather than simple comfort. Its associations with wealth make it especially effective for evoking opulence, splendor, and abundance, while also explaining its connection to the Latin word opes, meaning wealth or resources. Although opulent can describe luxurious objects and settings, it is not a synonym for every kind of expensive item; it implies a richness of material, visual effect, or provision.
adjectiveRich or luxurious, especially in a way that suggests great expense and extravagance. Also, numerous or plentiful.
- Rich, luxurious, or lavish, especially in a way that suggests expense and extravagance.
- Numerous, abundant, or plentiful.
"The guests dined in an opulent dining room filled with gilded furnishings and crystal glassware."
"The hotel's opulent lobby combined marble columns, velvet seating, and soaring floral displays."
"Opulent wildlife flourishes in the protected reserve, where food and shelter are abundant."
Opulent began in Latin as a description of wealth: its root, opes, meant “wealth” or “resources.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of opulent
Opulent comes from Latin opulentus, meaning “wealthy” or “rich,” and was probably borrowed into English during the early 17th century. Latin opulentus was derived from opes, the plural of ops, meaning “wealth” or “resources.” The same root also lies behind English opulence, copious, and copy, reflecting a shared sense of abundance or plenty.
Related word forms
How opulent is actually used
Opulent is formal and often carries connotations of conspicuous luxury, though it can also describe abundance more generally. It is commonly used in descriptions of architecture, interiors, food, surroundings, prose, and natural resources.
Easily confused with opulent
Opulent is an adjective describing something as rich, luxurious, or abundant, whereas opulence is the noun meaning great wealth or luxury.