sensual
adjective
sen·su·al
ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 
-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : fleshly
2
3
a
: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites
b
c
: deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests : worldly
especially
: irreligious
Examples of sensual in a Sentence
A sharp observer with a pleasing eye for sensual detail, Jaffrey weaves a richly textured story in which she effortlessly mingles quotidian dramas with historic events including the partition of India.
—
Michelle Green, People, 6 Nov. 2006
And Rousseau, in his Confessions, wrote of the sensual pleasure he found in simple meals of peasant cheeses and breads.
—Andrea Lee, Gourmet, May 2004
Certain fragrances apparently heighten sensual experiences.
the sensual feel of a velvet shirt against the skin
Michelle Green, People, 6 Nov. 2006
And Rousseau, in his Confessions, wrote of the sensual pleasure he found in simple meals of peasant cheeses and breads.
—Andrea Lee, Gourmet, May 2004
Certain fragrances apparently heighten sensual experiences.
the sensual feel of a velvet shirt against the skin
Recent Examples on the Web
Who had triumphed in the face-off between sleek practicality and sensual excess?
—Lena Dunham, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
Lewis, who worked as a chef in New York City as well as in North and South Carolina, writes with great sensual and emotional detail about growing up close to the land.
—Marian Bull, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Yesterday afternoon the model turned author took a pap walk through the streets of Manhattan dressed in a stretch skirt—wallflower-ish in length, but sensual in spirit—with a Loewe Squeeze bag and a pair of Khaite’s knee-high boots.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
This extends to the expressivity of a noodle’s form, sensual or zany, and to the harmony of marrying a particular shape with exactly the right sauce, which carries the same satisfying sense of inevitability that comes from hanging a picture just right.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2024
Worse bondage of intemperate men, enslaved by that most inexorable of all taskmasters, sensual habit.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Instead, the result is closer to frisky European art films by Bernardo Bertolucci, François Ozon and Abdellatif Kechiche, so focused is the movie on butts, baskets and various other body parts — less lecherous than sensual as presented here.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Working with his frequent cinematographer Josée Deshaies, Bonello shot the 1910 portion of the story in 35mm for a more sensual look, while the sharper and colder images of 2014 and 2044 were captured using digital.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
While many studies are limited with the use of Indica or Sativa for female arousal, many people swear that these can help relax and entice you to enjoy a more sensual experience with your partner.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Lena Dunham, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
Lewis, who worked as a chef in New York City as well as in North and South Carolina, writes with great sensual and emotional detail about growing up close to the land.
—Marian Bull, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Yesterday afternoon the model turned author took a pap walk through the streets of Manhattan dressed in a stretch skirt—wallflower-ish in length, but sensual in spirit—with a Loewe Squeeze bag and a pair of Khaite’s knee-high boots.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
This extends to the expressivity of a noodle’s form, sensual or zany, and to the harmony of marrying a particular shape with exactly the right sauce, which carries the same satisfying sense of inevitability that comes from hanging a picture just right.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2024
Worse bondage of intemperate men, enslaved by that most inexorable of all taskmasters, sensual habit.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Instead, the result is closer to frisky European art films by Bernardo Bertolucci, François Ozon and Abdellatif Kechiche, so focused is the movie on butts, baskets and various other body parts — less lecherous than sensual as presented here.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Working with his frequent cinematographer Josée Deshaies, Bonello shot the 1910 portion of the story in 35mm for a more sensual look, while the sharper and colder images of 2014 and 2044 were captured using digital.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
While many studies are limited with the use of Indica or Sativa for female arousal, many people swear that these can help relax and entice you to enjoy a more sensual experience with your partner.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sensual
Cite this Entry
“Sensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensual. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sensual
adjective
sen·su·al
ˈsench-(ə-)wəl
ˈsen-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the pleasing of the senses
2
: devoted to the pleasures of the senses
Medical Definition
sensual
adjective
sen·su·al
ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, ˈsen-shəl
1
2
: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite
3
: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share