luscious
adjective
lus·cious ˈlə-shəs 
1
a
: 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
3
a
: richly luxurious or appealing to the senses
her luscious voice swelling and decaying with total control, her low notes booming sonorously
Gary Giddins
Gary Giddins b
: excessively ornate
rich and luscious phrases, thick with imagery Ruth Park
Ruth Park 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 to lucius 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."
Synonyms
- ambrosial
- appetizing
- dainty
- delectable
- delicious
- delish
- flavorful
- flavorsome
- lush
- mouthwatering
- palatable
- savory
- savoury
- scrumptious
- succulent
- tasteful
- tasty
- toothsome
- toothy
- yummy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping a luscious strawberry bursting with juice
Recent Examples on the Web For wealthy Pennsylvania residents, that’s a luscious yield, the equivalent of well over 5% after tax. Jason Zweig, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Additions of lactose lend to a luscious mouthfeel and velvety body. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 And while there may be a hair product out there that helps give you luscious curls worthy of the red carpet, there also exists a DIY alternative: a natural hair treatment. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 7 Sep. 2022 This beer-lemonade hybrid is a crowd pleaser if ever there was one, hitting a flawless balance of tart and sweet with authentic, luscious lemon flavor. Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Summer Stone Fruit Burrata Is there anything more glorious than peak-season stone fruit and creamy, luscious burrata? Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 The perfect mix of elevated and common, this hot and creamy dip is full of luscious crab meat (cook your own or get a head start with canned) and uber-affordable mayo, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2022 Soak for 20-30 minutes to achieve the most supple, luscious skin your mirror has ever seen! Ava Darrin, ELLE, 26 Aug. 2022 Another richly pigmented and luscious formulation for deep skin tones, this semi-matte lippie is hydrating and comfortable. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Jason Zweig, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Additions of lactose lend to a luscious mouthfeel and velvety body. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 And while there may be a hair product out there that helps give you luscious curls worthy of the red carpet, there also exists a DIY alternative: a natural hair treatment. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 7 Sep. 2022 This beer-lemonade hybrid is a crowd pleaser if ever there was one, hitting a flawless balance of tart and sweet with authentic, luscious lemon flavor. Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Summer Stone Fruit Burrata Is there anything more glorious than peak-season stone fruit and creamy, luscious burrata? Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 The perfect mix of elevated and common, this hot and creamy dip is full of luscious crab meat (cook your own or get a head start with canned) and uber-affordable mayo, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2022 Soak for 20-30 minutes to achieve the most supple, luscious skin your mirror has ever seen! Ava Darrin, ELLE, 26 Aug. 2022 Another richly pigmented and luscious formulation for deep skin tones, this semi-matte lippie is hydrating and comfortable. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English lucius, perhaps alteration of licius, short for delicious
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
luscious
adjective
lus·cious ˈlə-shəs
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
Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon2
: delightful to hear, see, or feel
a luscious singing voice
luscious
adjective
1
as in delicious
very pleasing to the sense of taste a luscious strawberry bursting with juice Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- delicious
- lush
- scrumptious
- delectable
- tasteful
- yummy
- flavorful
- succulent
- mouthwatering
- tasty
- edible
- toothsome
- flavorsome
- appetizing
- savory
- delightful
- heavenly
- ambrosial
- dainty
- toothy
- delish
- savoury
- palatable
- exquisite
- pleasing
- satisfying
- pleasant
- eatable
- delicate
- digestible
- rare
- gratifying
- agreeable
- choice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insipid
- flat
- unsavory
- tasteless
- distasteful
- unpalatable
- boring
- tedious
- unappetizing
- banal
- stinky
- noxious
- stale
- commonplace
- yucky
- flavorless
- smelly
- noisome
- unwholesome
- yukky
- wretched
- awful
- unpleasant
- miserable
- disgusting
- horrid
- repulsive
- abominable
- disagreeable
- detestable
- repugnant
- offensive
- sickening
- abhorrent
- foul
- repellent
- nauseating
- repellant
2
as in sensual
pleasing to the physical senses luscious silk fabric that slid across her hands Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensual
- delicious
- lush
- voluptuous
- delightful
- sensuous
- luxurious
- pleasant
- carnal
- scrumptious
- pleasing
- delectable
- bodily
- dreamy
- fleshly
- corporeal
- pleasurable
- gratifying
- epicurean
- agreeable
- palatable
- self-indulgent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- painful
- harsh
- uncomfortable
- hideous
- disgusting
- icky
- foul
3
as in delightful
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses the luscious thought that while she was basking on the beach, her coworkers were slaving away at the office Synonyms & Similar Words
- delicious
- delightful
- sweet
- pleasant
- nice
- pleasing
- enjoyable
- heavenly
- satisfying
- good
- delectable
- pretty
- dreamy
- tasty
- welcome
- soothing
- pleasurable
- tempting
- savory
- darling
- comforting
- jolly
- blessed
- felicitous
- comfortable
- attractive
- amusing
- charming
- gratifying
- congenial
- desirable
- agreeable
- fascinating
- dulcet
- grateful
- delightsome
- savoury
- alluring
- palatable
- happy
- enchanting
- blissful
- enviable
- inviting
- entertaining
- blest
- cheerful
- relishable
- calming
- gracious
- intoxicating
- joyous
- cheery
- amiable
- goodly
- hospitable
- exhilarating
- rapturous
- affable
- personable
- diverting
- recreative
- ecstatic
- kindly
- genial
- euphoric
- felicific
- glad
- good-natured
- elating
- nirvanic
- gemütlich
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unpleasant
- ghastly
- horrid
- disagreeable
- disgusting
- abominable
- unwelcome
- wretched
- vile
- miserable
- repulsive
- unpalatable
- hellish
- obnoxious
- unsavory
- flat
- repugnant
- odious
- offensive
- insipid
- distasteful
- dull
- detestable
- boring
- yucky
- hateful
- tedious
- bilious
- repellent
- abhorrent
- sad
- tragic
- gloomy
- irksome
- unhappy
- commonplace
- dismal
- mournful
- dreary
- sorrowful
- pleasureless
- god-awful
- doleful
- lugubrious
- revulsive
- stale
- depressing
- dissatisfying
- yukky
- deplorable
- dolorous
- joyless
- lamentable
- lachrymose
- irritating
- regrettable
- heartbreaking
- annoying
- exasperating
- vexing
- tragical
- perturbing
- displeasing
- repellant
- hostile
- aggravating
- forbidding
- heartrending
- disheartening
- maddening
- disturbing
- intimidating
- infuriating
- distressing
- upsetting
- peeving
- enraging
- outraging
- enflaming
- inflaming
- angering
- rankling
- incensing
- riling
4
as in sexy
sexually attractive hundreds of fans got in line to take selfies with the luscious soap opera star Synonyms & Similar Words
- sexy
- desirable
- hot
- toothsome
- bodacious
- seductive
- dishy
- alluring
- sultry
- foxy
- nubile
- hunky
- studly
- vampish
- vampy
