luxuriant

adjective

lux·​u·​ri·​ant (ˌ)ləg-ˈzhu̇r-ē-ənt How to pronounce luxuriant (audio)
(ˌ)lək-ˈshu̇r-
1
a
: yielding abundantly : fertile, fruitful
b
: characterized by abundant growth : lush
luxuriant vegetation
2
: abundantly and often extravagantly rich and varied : prolific
3
: characterized by luxury : luxurious
a luxuriant fabric
luxuriantly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for luxuriant

profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance.

profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

Examples of luxuriant in a Sentence

an older man who still has a luxuriant head of hair a luxuriant coat of fur
Recent Examples on the Web The rooms certainly aren’t short on luxuriant amenities, from the generous amounts of Le Labo toiletries in the outdoor shower to the display of artisanal tequilas above the mini-bar. Keaton Bell, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2023 Herzog’s book is one luxuriant, well-waxed batch of pulver. Dwight Garner, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2023 Soon her company was installing thousands of plants in offices across the city, in luxuriant displays. Steven Kurutz, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023 Fully 20% of Britain’s land surface is thought to host the right kind of climate for temperate rainforest, and yet a mere 1% is actually still covered by this luxuriant habitat. Jason Thomson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2023 Fertilize only moderately to keep plants normally green and vigorous but not luxuriant. oregonlive, 29 July 2023 This is a book as luxuriant as a warm bath, and if the water sometimes grows cold, that, too, may be part of the pleasure. Jacob Brogan, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2023 Cantu says that the key to pairing Dom Pérignon rosé is by aligning standards, committing to clean ingredients, and aiming to enhance both the dish and luxuriant drink. David Graver, Vogue, 18 June 2023 The pictures beneath the wire sculptures are more akin to French impressionism than to shanshui, and overall, Lin-Lin’s work gives a more luxuriant impression than Bertrand’s. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 26 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luxuriant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of luxuriant was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near luxuriant

Cite this Entry

“Luxuriant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luxuriant. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

luxuriant

adjective
lux·​u·​ri·​ant (ˌ)ləg-ˈzhu̇r-ē-ənt How to pronounce luxuriant (audio)
(ˌ)lək-ˈshu̇r-
1
a
: producing large crops
luxuriant valleys
b
: characterized by heavy growth : lush
2
luxuriance
-ē-ən(t)s
noun
luxuriantly adverb

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