sumptuousness

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The quality of looking very expensive, rich, and impressive.

   Grammar: No plural and no 'a' before it: the sumptuousness of the meal.

   Patterns

   • the sumptuousness of something
   • an air of sumptuousness

   The sumptuousness of the hotel lobby surprised the guests.

   She loved the sumptuousness of the velvet curtains and the gold frames.

   The meal was served with a quiet sumptuousness that matched the occasion.

2. 2noununcountable

   A way of living or presenting something that shows great wealth and comfort.

   Grammar: Often used after 'of' to describe a place or event: the sumptuousness of the palace.

   Patterns

   • the sumptuousness of something
   • live in sumptuousness

   They lived in sumptuousness, with servants and silk everywhere.

   The film shows the sumptuousness of royal life in the 1700s.

Common combinations

the sumptuousness of the food

Everyone commented on the sumptuousness of the food at the wedding.

quiet sumptuousness

The room had a quiet sumptuousness, with soft carpets and dark wood.

visual sumptuousness

The film is famous for its visual sumptuousness.

sumptuousness of the decor

The sumptuousness of the decor made the small room feel grand.

Synonyms and how they differ

luxury

More common and general; sumptuousness suggests a richer, more visual display.

opulence

Very close, but opulence often suggests too much wealth; sumptuousness is usually positive.

richness

Wider and can describe color or flavor; sumptuousness is mainly about expensive appearance.

Opposites

Word family

sumptuous adjective

Looking very expensive and impressive.

sumptuously adverb

In a rich, expensive way.

Commonly confused: sumptuousness or scrumptiousness?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sumptuousness”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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