opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈä-pyə-lənt How to pronounce opulent (audio)
: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as
a
: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation
living in opulent comfort
opulent furnishings
an opulent hotel
b
dated : having a large estate or property : wealthy
an opulent family
opulent industrialists
opulently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for opulent

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of opulent in a Sentence

an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques
Recent Examples on the Web Newport, Rhode Island With opulent Gilded Age mansions and beautiful beaches, Newport is a lovely summer destination. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2024 With its own bar and lounges, baby grand piano, cabaret space, work studios and meeting rooms, a screening room playing first-run films and documentaries, and a music and podcast studio, the space is an opulent full-service facility for the members of the creative industries that roost here. Sunset Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for opulent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opulent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentus "abounding in resources, wealthy," from op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" + -ulentus "having in quantity, full of" (probably dissimilated from *-o-u̯ent-os, with Indo-European *-u̯ent-, suffix of possession) — more at opus

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opulent was circa 1518

Dictionary Entries Near opulent

Cite this Entry

“Opulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opulent. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

opulent

adjective
op·​u·​lent ˈäp-yə-lənt How to pronounce opulent (audio)
: having or showing much wealth
opulently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on opulent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!