sensual

/'sensjuəl/

Thân thiện

A person enjoys the sensual pleasure of eating a ripe, juicy peach.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or involving gratification of the physical senses, especially sexual pleasure: "sensual" describes something that appeals to or stimulates the body's senses, often with a strong emphasis on physical, especially sexual, enjoyment.
   • Characterized by a focus on physical, especially sexual, pleasure rather than intellectual or spiritual matters: It can describe a person, attitude, or experience that prioritizes bodily pleasures.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The novel described a life of sensual excess. (The novel described a life focused on extreme physical pleasures.)
  • She gave him a deeply sensual look. (She gave him a look full of implied physical attraction.)
  • He took sensual delight in the taste of the ripe fruit. (He experienced great physical pleasure from the taste of the fruit.)
  • The massage was a purely sensual experience. (The massage was an experience focused entirely on physical sensation.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sensual" vs. "Sensuous": While often used interchangeably, "sensuous" more neutrally refers to pleasing the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell), while "sensual" more strongly implies a connection to sexual or physical gratification.

  • The sensuous curves of the sculpture (focus on aesthetic, tactile appeal).
  • A sensual dance (focus on sexually suggestive movement).

• Philosophical Context: In historical philosophical discourse, "sensual" can relate to empiricism or sensationalism, meaning derived from the senses.

  • A sensual theory of knowledge (A theory based on sensory experience).

Variants and Related Words

• Sensuality (noun): The quality of being sensual; a focus on sensual pleasures.
  • The sensuality of the painting was striking.
• Sensually (adverb): In a sensual manner.
  • She moved sensually to the music.

Synonyms

• Carnal: Pertaining to the body or flesh; often specifically sexual.
• Fleshly: Of or relating to the body; worldly or sensual.
• Voluptuous: Characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure.
• Physical: Relating to the body as opposed to the mind.

Antonyms

• Ascetic: Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence.
• Spiritual: Relating to the spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.
• Intellectual: Appealing to or engaging the intellect.

Related Phrases

• Sensual pleasure: Pleasure derived from the physical senses.
  • For him, fine food was the greatest sensual pleasure.
• Sensual appetite: A strong desire for physical gratification.
  • He struggled to control his sensual appetites.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. sexually exciting or gratifying
   • sensual excesses
   • a sultry look
   • a sultry dance
2. marked by the appetites and passions of the body
   • animal instincts
   • carnal knowledge
   • fleshly desire
   • a sensual delight in eating
   • music is the only sensual pleasure without vice

Từ đồng nghĩa

• sultry
• animal
• carnal
• fleshly