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luscious

adjective
lus·​cious | \ ˈlÉ™-shÉ™s How to pronounce luscious (audio) \

Definition of luscious

1a : having a delicious taste or smell : sweet chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping
b archaic : excessively sweet : cloying
2 : sexually attractive : seductive, sexy a luscious actress
3a : richly luxurious or appealing to the senses her luscious voice swelling and decaying with total control, her low notes booming sonorously— Gary Giddins
b : excessively ornate rich and luscious phrases, thick with imagery— Ruth Park
Other Words from luscious Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about luscious

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Other Words from luscious

lusciously adverb
lusciousness noun

Did You Know?

Have you ever heard a young child say something is licius when he or she really means it's "delicious"? Back in the Middle Ages, the word licius was sometimes used as a shortened form of delicious by adults and kids alike. Linguists believe that luscious developed when licius was further altered by 15th-century speakers. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin verb delicere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." The adjective lush, which can sometimes mean "delicious" as well, is not a shortened form of luscious; it derived on its own from the Middle English lusch, meaning "soft or tender."

Examples of luscious in a Sentence

chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping a luscious strawberry bursting with juice

Recent Examples on the Web

 Cardinal flowers and ironweed sway in the breeze while luscious roses, hydrangeas and day lilies softly lay their heads down to rest. — Cori Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Cori Brown: Nature signals a time to recharge," 7 Sep. 2019 Kendall Long and Joe Mabile met during season 5, during which time Kendall also went on dates with other people (remember Leo and his luscious mane?), and the two now live together. — Lisa Bonos, Washington Post, "How Blake Horstmann on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ became the center of a ‘love pentagon’," 13 Aug. 2019 Gone are the menacing lion's bright green eyes and thick, luscious mane; the new guy, whose mane sort of looks like a piece of lint, is in serious need of some dry shampoo. — Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, "How do the ‘Lion King’ movies compare? A closer look at 6 key elements," 20 July 2019 For an extra luscious finish, both rosehip and sea buckthorn oils contain fatty acids and vitamin C to soothe and brighten, respectively. — Chloe Metzger And Taylore Glynn, Marie Claire, "The Best Face Oil for Every Single Skin Type," 29 Aug. 2019 Don’t forget Judi Dench‘s extremely human face surrounded by the most luscious cat mane. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "Tom and Jerry adds 4 more to cast — because apparently the world asked for more live-action cats," 30 July 2019 The blueberry ice cream has fresh picked, luscious local blueberries. — BostonGlobe.com, "Letters to the editor of the Boston Globe Magazine," 19 July 2019 Order something with sautéed mushrooms, served in a luscious pile atop your lunch. — Tyler Moss, Condé Nast Traveler, "An Autumnal Road Trip Through Alsace Wine Country," 13 Aug. 2019 These monsters are an inch thick with every bit of luscious fat still attached. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Here are the 10 best foods at the Indiana State Fair 2019," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'luscious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of luscious

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for luscious

Middle English lucius, perhaps alteration of licius, short for delicious

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More Definitions for luscious

luscious

adjective
How to pronounce luscious (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of luscious

: having a very appealing taste or smell
: richly appealing
informal : very physically attractive

See the full definition for luscious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

luscious

adjective
lus·​cious | \ ˈlÉ™-shÉ™s How to pronounce luscious (audio) \

Kids Definition of luscious

1 : having a delicious taste or smell Children gathered around and stared longingly at the luscious fruit while the adults gulped with their mouths watering.— Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
2 : delightful to hear, see, or feel a luscious singing voice

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