noun / adjective
luxury
LUK-shuh-ree/ˈlʌkʃəri/
Comfort or pleasure beyond basic necessity.
The elaborate dessert in its crystal dish is a luxury.
Etymology
Latin luxuria described excess and extravagant living. English softened the word’s early associations with sinful indulgence, eventually applying it to a desirable comfort beyond life’s necessities.
In context
using anything above the bare necessaries of life is intemperance pride or luxury
More examples
- Fresh flowers are one of her favorite little luxuries.
- The spacious suite lets us relax in luxury.
- The luxury hotel offers plush robes and deep soaking tubs.
Forms
luxury · luxuries
luxurious adjective — Providing exceptional comfort beyond basic needs.
Similar words
- indulgence
- Emphasizes satisfying a personal desire rather than exceptional comfort.
- extravagance
- Emphasizes excessive spending or display, often suggesting waste.