luxury

noun

lux·​u·​ry ˈlək-sh(ə-)rē  -zh(ə-)rē 

plural luxuries

1

: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment

lived in luxury

2

a

: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

one of life's luxuries

b

: an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease

had the luxury of rejecting a handful of job offers

—Terri Minsky

3

archaic : lechery, lust

luxury adjective

Synonyms

• amenity
• comfort
• extra
• frill
• indulgence
• superfluity

Examples of luxury in a Sentence

He spent a fortune on expensive wines and other luxuries.

Right now a new car is a luxury that I can't afford.

On my salary, I can afford few luxuries.

We were lucky to have the luxury of choosing from among several good options.

We can't afford the luxury of waiting any longer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Air and Space The 10 most expensive domestic plane tickets in America Many of these routes average more than $400 a trip one-way By Start Slideshow Start Slideshow Flying was long thought of as a luxury beyond the reach of the average American. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024

In April, Golden Goose secured the advice of a savvy luxury industry professional, as former Gucci president and CEO Marco Bizzarri joined the board of directors, flanking the likes of former Chanel global CEO Maureen Chiquet, who was named chair of the company in 2020. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024

The Enterprise was like a luxury liner in comparison. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

Within their portfolio of luxury lodges is Sasaab, a tented camp in the Samburu wilderness. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English luxurie, from Anglo-French luxorie, from Latin luxuria rankness, luxury, excess; akin to Latin luxus luxury, excess

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing luxury

• in the lap of luxury
• luxury box
• the lap of luxury

Kids Definition

luxury

noun

lux·​u·​ry ˈləksh-(ə-)rē  ˈləgzh- 

plural luxuries

1

a

: free use or possession of costly food, dress, or anything that pleases a person

b

: great ease or comfort : rich surroundings

live in luxury

2

a

: something desirable but costly or hard to get

b

: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

luxury adjective