Voluptuous
What it means
Richly attractive and pleasing to the senses.
Reach for it when describing rich sensual fullness in a body, shape, texture, or experience
Voluptuous velvet curtains gave the small historic theater warmth.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
Fits when abundant rich texture or appearance matters
Careful Lush can describe plants, sound, or excess.
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everyday
Fits when exceptional comfort and richness are central
Careful Luxury concerns expense or indulgence, not shape.
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warm
curvaceous
Fits when prominent body curves are the exact focus
Careful Curvaceous applies to shape and can objectify a person.
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professional
Fits when rich rounded flavor or form is intended
Careful Full-bodied is most natural for drinks and sound.
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formal
Fits when luxurious richness belongs to material or setting
Careful Sumptuous rarely describes a body respectfully.
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literary
sensuous
Fits when pleasure engages several senses
Careful Sensuous need not imply bodily fullness.
Opposites 3
- austere
- gaunt
- spare
Common phrases 3
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voluptuous curves
Voluptuous curves gave the carved vessel a generous profile.
-
voluptuous texture
The fabric's voluptuous texture suited the intimate room.
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voluptuous richness
Cellos brought voluptuous richness to the final chord.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
When applied to a person, voluptuous sexualizes body shape; use it only when that framing is welcome and relevant.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated