Luxury Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms luxury American [luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh-] / ˈlʌk ʃə ri, ˈlʌg ʒə- /

noun

plural

luxuries

1. a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity.

   Gold cufflinks were a luxury not allowed for in his budget.

2. free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being.

   a life of luxury on the French Riviera.

3. a means of ministering to such indulgence or enjoyment.

   This travel plan gives you the luxury of choosing which countries you can visit.

4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself.

   the luxury of an extra piece of the cake.

5. a foolish or worthless form of self-indulgence.

   the luxury of self-pity.

6. Archaic. lust; lasciviousness; lechery.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affording luxury.

   a luxury hotel.

luxury British / ˈlʌkʃərɪ /

noun

1. indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable, and sumptuous living

2. (sometimes plural) something that is considered an indulgence rather than a necessity

3. something pleasant and satisfying

   the luxury of independence

4. (modifier) relating to, indicating, or supplying luxury

   a luxury liner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 luxury Idioms

1. see lap of luxury.

Other Word Forms

• semiluxury noun
• superluxury noun

Etymology

Origin of luxury

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English luxurie, from Latin luxuria “rankness, luxuriance,” equivalent to luxur- (combining form of luxus “extravagance”) + -ia noun suffix; -y 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Quiet luxury was the trend of 2025 - focusing on elegance and simplicity, it was about choosing timeless classics in quality fabrics that could be worn again and again.

From BBC

“Our proximity to the ocean allows chefs to work with some of the freshest seafood in the world, while luxury resorts attract international talent, creating dining experiences that are both authentic and world-class,” says Rifzan.

From Salon

Stocks prefer rate cuts that are luxuries rather than emergencies—and we would categorize coming cuts as the former.

From Barron's

Was this the last time the music megastar would grace the Kelce family luxury suite to watch her beau rack up the receptions?

From Los Angeles Times

Our instincts—to dominate, to reproduce, to seek shelter—are not distinct from those that do not have the luxury of language to communicate them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affluence
• comfort
• enjoyment
• extravagance
• leisure
• opulence
• richness

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.