adjective
sensual
SEN-shoo-uhl/ˈsenʃuəl/
Relating to pleasure through the senses, especially sexual pleasure.
The ripe peach offers sensual pleasure through its taste and texture.
Etymology
The base sensus connects the word to bodily feeling and perception. The meaning developed from being endowed with feeling to gratification of the senses, especially physical pleasure.
In context
he is interested in her body the way she looks the way she smells the way she dresses and he inquires into all of this and this desire to be sensual takes on a quality of lust
More examples
- They share a slow, sensual kiss.
- The dancer's sensual movements hold the audience's attention.
- She enjoys the sensual pleasure of silk against her skin.
Forms
sensual · more sensual · most sensual
sensuality noun — Enjoyment of physical or sexual pleasures.
sensually adverb — In a way suggesting physical or sexual pleasure.
Similar words
- sensuous
- Sensuous emphasizes sensory enjoyment without necessarily suggesting sexual pleasure.
- erotic
- Erotic focuses specifically on sexual desire rather than sensory enjoyment.