sumptuous
adjective
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Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may be a few of your favorite things, but are they sumptuous? Alas, though the best things in life are often free, sumptuous is a child of the Latin word sumptus, meaning “expense,” and it typically describes things that can only be had at some significant expense. A sumptuous lifestyle, for example, is more likely to involve silver-white bling than a silver-white winter that melts into spring. Sumptus has another English relation, this one tied even more closely to conspicuous consumption: sumptuary laws are largely historical regulations limiting extravagant expenditures and habits, especially on moral or religious grounds. (The sump in consumption is coincidental; that word comes from consume, which has its roots in Latin sumere meaning “to take up, take.”)
Examples of sumptuous in a Sentence
Sheri Kaz, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
But Gerber’s cozy jacket diverged from the rest of her color palette, in a sumptuous, inky blue.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
Beyond the artistry and sumptuous production, Ratmansky’s expressive and delightfully playful narrative rivals, and perhaps tops, New York City Ballet’s original George Balanchine choreography.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
Oak floorboards and hand-plastered walls are paired with the warm textures of linen, shearling, velvet, and mohair, giving it a sumptuous and inviting aspect.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumptuous. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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sumptuous
adjective
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