sumptuous
adjective
sump·tu·ous
ˈsəm(p)(t)-shə-wəs 
-shəs,
-shwəs
: extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent
sumptuous banquets
a sumptuous residence
also
: magnificent sense 4
sumptuously
adverb
sumptuousness
noun
Did you know?
The word sumptuous typically describes things that can only be had at some significant expense, a fact that keeps the modern English word tied to its Latin source: sumptus, meaning "expense." Another English adjective, sumptuary, has the same Latin source, but today is found mostly in the context of sumptuary laws, largely historical regulations limiting extravagant expenditures and habits, especially on moral or religious grounds.
Examples of sumptuous in a Sentence
the cruise ship claims to offer sumptuous furnishings, exquisitely prepared cuisine, and stellar entertainment
Recent Examples on the Web
All three versions of the 2026 BMW iX are effortless, sumptuous, rich-feeling high-rise limousines, with a carbon-fiber body and the most extreme technology BMW can deliver.
—
Michael Taylor, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
After releasing the album Oriente in 2017 — a sumptuous collage of dream pop melodies and art-rock moods — the Buenos Aires quartet played SXSW in 2019, recorded a 2021 live session for KEXP, and even placed a song in an Oreo commercial.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Twelve strangers enter a sumptuous lakeside estate and in each of their rooms is a mysterious welcome gift — a box.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 Feb. 2025
The globe-spanning menu has something for everyone, including a sumptuous hot, or haute, chocolate freshly poured over a marshmallow cube and solid chocolate lattice, worth every penny of its $25 price tag.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sumptuous
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Taylor, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
After releasing the album Oriente in 2017 — a sumptuous collage of dream pop melodies and art-rock moods — the Buenos Aires quartet played SXSW in 2019, recorded a 2021 live session for KEXP, and even placed a song in an Oreo commercial.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Twelve strangers enter a sumptuous lakeside estate and in each of their rooms is a mysterious welcome gift — a box.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 Feb. 2025
The globe-spanning menu has something for everyone, including a sumptuous hot, or haute, chocolate freshly poured over a marshmallow cube and solid chocolate lattice, worth every penny of its $25 price tag.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sumptuous
Cite this Entry
“Sumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumptuous. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sumptuous
adjective
sump·tu·ous
ˈsəm(p)-ch(ə-w)əs
sumptuously
adverb
sumptuousness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share