Meaning & use
voluptuous
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Of a woman or her body, having full, rounded curves that are considered attractive.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a voluptuous figure, she was voluptuous. Often applied to women, and some people find it objectifying.
Patterns
- a voluptuous figure
The painter was famous for his voluptuous nudes.
The actress was admired for her voluptuous figure in the film.
Renaissance art often shows voluptuous models.
adjectivecomparableliterary
Giving rich, strong pleasure to the senses, such as touch, taste, or sight.
Grammar: Describes things, not people: voluptuous fabrics, a voluptuous melody.
Patterns
- voluptuous in something
The chocolate dessert was dark and voluptuous.
She wrapped herself in a voluptuous velvet robe.
The cellist's voluptuous tone filled the hall.
Word forms
| comparative | more voluptuous |
|---|---|
| superlative | most voluptuous |
Common combinations
- voluptuous curves
- The sculpture is known for its voluptuous curves.
- voluptuous figure
- The dress flattered her voluptuous figure.
- voluptuous flavor
- The wine has a voluptuous flavor of dark cherry.
- voluptuous lips
- The magazine described her voluptuous lips.
- voluptuous texture
- The cream has a voluptuous texture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curvaceous
- Curvaceous focuses only on a curved body shape, while voluptuous adds a sense of sensual richness.
- sensuous
- Sensuous describes anything pleasing to the senses and is not about body shape.
- lush
- Lush suggests rich, abundant growth or comfort, and is not usually used for bodies.
- buxom
- Buxom is a dated word for a healthy woman with a large bust, so it is narrower than voluptuous.
Opposites
Word family
- voluptuously adverb
- in a richly sensual or curvy way
- voluptuousness noun
- the quality of being voluptuous
- voluptuary noun
- a person devoted to luxury and sensual pleasure
- voluptuosity noun
- a rare noun for sensual richness
Commonly confused: voluptuous or volumptious? voluptuous or voluminous?
voluptuous vs volumptious
This is a common misspelling. The correct spelling is voluptuous, with no m.
voluptuous vs voluminous
Voluminous means large in volume, such as a voluminous coat, and does not mean sensually rich.
Practice
Which sentence uses voluptuous correctly in its sensual sense?
Choose one answer.
Only the cheesecake sentence describes rich pleasure to the senses. A report, an apology, or a desert would not be described this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “voluptuous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.