What does plush mean?
Plush most commonly describes something soft, comfortable, and luxurious, such as a plush chair, carpet, robe, or toy. The adjective often implies a rich texture, especially one resembling velvet or thick pile, but it can also mean lavish or expensively furnished: a plush hotel room or a plush private office. In everyday praise, calling an object plush suggests that it feels exceptionally comfortable and perhaps looks opulent. The related noun refers to a stuffed toy, usually made from soft fabric, as well as to plush fabric itself. Plush can also be used figuratively for elaborate or conspicuously luxurious surroundings. The word is informal and generally positive, although it may sound slightly critical when it suggests excessive extravagance or superficial comfort.
Soft and luxurious in texture, appearance, or furnishings; lavish or expensively comfortable.
"The office was furnished with plush leather chairs."
The adjective is frequently used for furnishings, interiors, clothing, and toys, and can imply conspicuous expense.
A stuffed toy made of soft fabric, or the soft textile itself.
"The child clutched a plush rabbit while falling asleep."
As a noun meaning a stuffed toy, plush is especially common in British English, though it is also understood in American English.
Used for multiple stuffed toys or separate pieces of plush fabric.
"The shop displayed rows of brightly colored plushes."
The word once described a kind of soft fabric before becoming a favorite word for anything extravagantly comfortable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plush come from?
The word entered English in the seventeenth century from French peluche, meaning a soft, woolly fabric or a fabric made to resemble fur. Its English development included a noun referring to a textile with a soft pile and later a stuffed toy made from such material. The modern adjective meaning luxurious or lavishly comfortable developed from the fabric's association with richness and comfort. Modern forms such as plushette, plushiness, and plushly continue the same lexical history.
Related word forms
How plush is actually used
As an adjective, plush is usually approving and conveys comfort, richness, or expense. It is commonly applied to furnishings, clothing, interiors, and toys; when describing a person or setting, it can suggest conspicuous luxury or an overly luxurious appearance.
Easily confused with plush
Plus is a preposition or noun meaning an additional amount, whereas plush means soft, luxurious, or comfortable.
Plush is pronounced with an "l" and describes softness or luxury, while flush means level, abundant, or to turn red.