opulent
OP-yoo-lent
/ˈɒpjʊlənt/
Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
Suggests not just wealth, but a showy, extravagant display of it, often implying grandeur and luxury that might be excessive.
The story behind the word. The word 'opulent' comes from the Latin 'opulentus,' meaning 'wealthy,' which itself is derived from 'ops,' meaning 'power, might, wealth.' So, when you describe something as opulent, you're not just saying it's rich; you're hinting at a powerful, almost overwhelming display of wealth and luxury. It's about grandeur that commands attention.
Word relationships
- luxurious: Focuses on comfort and elegance, while 'opulent' emphasizes grand, often showy, wealth.
- sumptuous: Similar to 'opulent' in implying grandeur and expense, often used for feasts or decor.
- lavish: Can describe spending or gifts, implying generosity or extravagance, similar to 'opulent' in scale.
- austere: Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; simple and plain.
- spartan: Showing indifference to comfort or luxury.
- meager: Lacking in quantity or quality.
Commonly confused with
- affluent: 'Affluent' describes simply being wealthy, while 'opulent' describes a display of wealth, often grand and luxurious.
Word family
- opulence (noun): Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Collocations
- opulent lifestyle
- opulent display
- opulent surroundings
- opulent feast
- opulent decor
Example sentences
- "The billionaire's annual gala was an opulent affair, with crystal chandeliers and a menu featuring rare delicacies." Describing a lavish party
- "The palace boasted opulent interiors, adorned with gold leaf and priceless tapestries." Describing architecture
- "F. Scott Fitzgerald often depicted the opulent lifestyles of the Jazz Age elite." Literary description
Memory hook
Think of 'OPULENT' as 'OVER-PLENTY' – an excessive, showy amount of luxury. OVER-PLENTY
When not to use
Don't use 'opulent' for simple comfort or modest wealth. It specifically implies a grand, often showy, display of riches. It's also generally not used to describe a person's character, but rather their possessions or lifestyle.
Fun facts
- The Roman goddess Ops was associated with fertility, abundance, and wealth, linking the word to ancient concepts of prosperity.
Explore more words
munificent, resplendent, genteel, extravagance, pageantry, prodigal
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