luxuriant
/lʌg'zjuəriənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Growing or producing in great abundance; lush and thriving: "luxuriant" describes something, especially vegetation, that grows very thickly, healthily, and profusely.
- Rich and elaborate; marked by complexity and richness of detail: "luxuriant" can describe something that is excessively ornate, intricate, or abundant in its features or style.
Usage and Examples
Describing abundant growth:
- The rainforest was filled with luxuriant foliage. (The plants and leaves in the rainforest were extremely thick and abundant.)
- She had a head of luxuriant, dark hair. (Her hair was very thick, healthy, and abundant.)
Describing rich detail or style:
- The poet's luxuriant descriptions painted vivid pictures in the reader's mind. (The poet's writing was richly detailed and elaborate.)
- The fabric was decorated with a luxuriant pattern of vines and flowers. (The pattern on the fabric was very intricate and rich.)
Advanced Usage
- "Luxuriant growth": a common collocation emphasizing vigorous and abundant development.
- The warm climate and frequent rains encouraged luxuriant growth in the garden.
- "Luxuriant imagination": used to describe an imagination that is exceptionally rich, fertile, or productive.
- The author's luxuriant imagination created entire fantasy worlds.
Variants and Related Words
- Luxuriance (noun): the quality or state of being luxuriant; abundant growth or richness.
- The luxuriance of the tropical vegetation was breathtaking.
- Luxuriate (verb): to enjoy something as a luxury; to thrive or grow profusely.
- She loved to luxuriate in a warm bath. (This verb form focuses on enjoying luxury, while "luxuriant" describes the quality of abundance.)
- Luxurious (adjective): extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable, especially in a way that involves great expense. (Note: "Luxurious" focuses on comfort and opulence, while "luxuriant" focuses on abundant growth or richness of detail.)
Synonyms
- Lush: (especially of vegetation) growing luxuriantly.
- Profuse: abundant in growth or quantity.
- Exuberant: full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; also, (of vegetation) lush and profuse in growth.
- Opulent: characterized by rich abundance; lavish. (Often overlaps with "luxuriant" in the context of richness and abundance.)
Antonyms
- Sparse: thinly dispersed or scattered; not thick or dense.
- Barren: too poor to produce much or any vegetation.
- Austere: severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries; simple and plain.
Notes on Meaning
- Primary Meaning: The most common use of "luxuriant" relates to the abundant, healthy, and vigorous growth of plants, hair, etc.
- Secondary Meaning: It can also describe something non-physical that is characterized by richness, abundance, or elaborateness, such as language, decoration, or imagination.
- Common Confusion: Do not confuse "luxuriant" (abundant growth) with "luxurious" (related to luxury and comfort). A forest is thick and green; a hotel is very comfortable and expensive.
Adjective
- produced or growing in extreme abundance
- their riotous blooming
- displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
- an epicurean banquet
- enjoyed a luxurious suite with a crystal chandelier and thick oriental rugs
- Lucullus spent the remainder of his days in voluptuous magnificence
- a chinchilla robe of sybaritic lavishness
- marked by complexity and richness of detail
- an elaborate lace pattern