her luscious voice swelling and decaying with total control, her low notes booming sonorously Gary Giddins
b
: excessively ornate
rich and luscious phrases, thick with imagery Ruth Park
lusciouslyadverb
lusciousnessnoun
Did you know?
Have you ever heard a young child say something is "licius" when he or she really means it's "delicious"? Back in the Middle Ages, the word licius was sometimes used as a shortened form of delicious by adults and kids alike. Linguists believe that luscious developed when licius was further altered to lucius by 15th-century speakers. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin verb delicere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." The adjective lush, which can sometimes mean "delicious" as well, is not a shortened form of luscious; it derived on its own from the Middle English lusch, meaning "soft or tender."
chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping a luscious strawberry bursting with juice
Recent Examples on the WebFor wealthy Pennsylvania residents, that’s a luscious yield, the equivalent of well over 5% after tax. Jason Zweig, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Additions of lactose lend to a luscious mouthfeel and velvety body. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 And while there may be a hair product out there that helps give you luscious curls worthy of the red carpet, there also exists a DIY alternative: a natural hair treatment. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 7 Sep. 2022 This beer-lemonade hybrid is a crowd pleaser if ever there was one, hitting a flawless balance of tart and sweet with authentic, luscious lemon flavor. Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Summer Stone Fruit Burrata Is there anything more glorious than peak-season stone fruit and creamy, luscious burrata? Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 The perfect mix of elevated and common, this hot and creamy dip is full of luscious crab meat (cook your own or get a head start with canned) and uber-affordable mayo, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2022 Soak for 20-30 minutes to achieve the most supple, luscious skin your mirror has ever seen! Ava Darrin, ELLE, 26 Aug. 2022 Another richly pigmented and luscious formulation for deep skin tones, this semi-matte lippie is hydrating and comfortable. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English lucius, perhaps alteration of licius, short for delicious