luxury
pronunciation
How to pronounce luxury in British English:
UK [ˈlʌkʃəri]
How to pronounce luxury in American English:
US [ˈlʌkʃəri]
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- Noun:
- something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
- the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
- wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
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- Adjective:
- elegant and sumptuous
Word Origin
- luxury
- luxury: [14] Luxury was originally a pejorative word, denoting ‘sinful self-indulgence’. Not until the 17th century did it begin to acquire its positive modern connotations of costliness, comfort, and desirability. It came via Old French from Latin luxuria ‘excess’, a derivative of luxus ‘excess, abundance, extravagance’. The Latin derived verb luxuriāre ‘grow profusely’ has given English luxuriant [16] and luxuriate [17].
- luxury (n.)
- c. 1300, "sexual intercourse;" mid-14c., "lasciviousness, sinful self-indulgence," from Old French luxurie "debauchery, dissoluteness, lust" (Modern French luxure), from Latin luxuria "excess, luxury, extravagance, profusion; delicacy" (source also of Spanish lujuria, Italian lussuria), from luxus "excess, extravagance, magnificence," probably a figurative use of luxus (adj.) "dislocated," which is related to luctari "wrestle, strain" (see reluctance). Meaning "sensual pleasure" is late 14c. Lost its pejorative taint 17c. Meaning "habit of indulgence in what is choice or costly" is from 1630s; that of "sumptuous surroundings" is from 1704; that of "something enjoyable or comfortable beyond life's necessities" is from 1780. Used as an adjective from 1916.
Example
- 1. It works on a more luxury level too .
- 2. Similar hurdles exist in the luxury industry .
- 3. Sacrifice luxury today to enjoy freedom tomorrow .
- 4. Central bankers lack this luxury .
- 5. Imagining luxury is as human as imagining want .