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voluptuous

adjective
vo·​lup·​tu·​ous | \ vÉ™-ˈlÉ™p(t)-shÉ™-wÉ™s How to pronounce voluptuous (audio) , -shÉ™s\

Definition of voluptuous

1a : suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form voluptuous nudes
b : full of delight or pleasure to the senses : conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification : luxurious a voluptuous dance voluptuous ornamentation a voluptuous wine
2 : given to or spent in enjoyment of luxury, pleasure, or sensual gratifications a long and voluptuous holiday— Edmund Wilson
Other Words from voluptuous Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about voluptuous

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Other Words from voluptuous

voluptuously adverb
voluptuousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for voluptuous

sensuous, sensual, luxurious, voluptuous mean relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses. sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure. the sensuous delights of great music sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves. a life devoted to sensual pleasures luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor. a luxurious hotel voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure. a voluptuous feast

Examples of voluptuous in a Sentence

the voluptuous richness of the music

Recent Examples on the Web

 From beneath the voluptuous curves, a pleasingly irregular mix of rosettes, laurel bunches and berries alternates with plump acorns atop clusters of oak leaves. — Dallas News, "The centuries-old story behind a new artistic match at the Kimbell Art Museum," 1 Aug. 2019 At Compost Bin!, voluptuous body parts and gender ambiguity are celebrated, paraded around, gyrated, cheered. — Steven Thrasher, Teen Vogue, "Compost Bin! Burlesque Show Provides Space and Celebration for All Bodies," 18 July 2019 Centered between the virginal chalice on the one hand and the voluptuous citrons on the other, the dark, bottomless, pucker invites what is sometimes known as the male gaze. — Jonathan Gold, Los Angeles Times, "The oranges that enraptured a millionaire," 18 July 2019 One voluptuous fitted black gown, its plunging neckline clasped by a golden asp, took its cue from the earthly goddess Elizabeth Taylor in her 1963 movie vehicle Cleopatra. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana Stage an Epic Alta Moda Show in Sicily’s Valley of the Temples," 6 July 2019 While the William Morris wallpaper and textured chenille sofa skew conservative, the accessories—like an African fertility statue and voluptuous crystal sculpture of the female form—do not. — Ingela Ratledge Amundson, WSJ, "12 TV Series Whose Sets Will Intoxicate Design-Minded People," 21 June 2019 In his sleep, voluptuous women, with hips and laughter and hair. — Amos Oz, Harper's magazine, "Setting the World to Rights," 10 Apr. 2019 Its voluptuous petals direct bees deep inside the bloom where the pollen is stored safely away from sensitive noses. — Nicole Clausing, Sunset, "Got Allergies? These 10 Low-Pollen Plants Won’t Make You Sneeze," 22 Jan. 2018 At a time when men demanded that female performers be curvy and voluptuous, a thin woman parading herself onstage was an affront. — Sharon Marcus, Vox, "The first modern celebrity was born 175 years ago," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'voluptuous.' 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 voluptuous

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

History and Etymology for voluptuous

Middle English, from Latin voluptuosus, irregular from voluptas pleasure, from volup pleasurable; akin to Greek elpesthai to hope, Latin velle to wish — more at will

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More Definitions for voluptuous

voluptuous

adjective
How to pronounce voluptuous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of voluptuous

of a woman : very attractive because of having large hips and breasts
literary : giving pleasure to the senses

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on voluptuous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for voluptuous

Spanish Central: Translation of voluptuous

Nglish: Translation of voluptuous for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of voluptuous for Arabic Speakers

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