opulent

USAGE SUMMARY

"opulent" is a correct word that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very rich and luxurious in appearance, such as an ornate mansion or a fine dinner. For example, "The opulent palace was the envy of every other royal family in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country will offer an opulent stage for voices from across Europe, but at home few critical voices are tolerated.

The Guardian

Occasionally, I accompanied him on his rounds, and stared through soapy windows at what struck me as opulent luxury.

The Guardian - Opinion

I remember sitting in my parents' council house in Carshalton and hearing about the incredibly opulent funeral of Queen Mary and thinking, no matter how rich or important you are, life always ends the same way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Opulent clock towers, grand halls, building facades covered in splendour and stone.

The Guardian

Trailing Duvalier's old mother with them, they lived in opulent hotels and villas on the French Riviera, drawing on the $100m or so they had pillaged from state funds.

The Guardian

That will be the major talking point when the sport travels to Monaco for next weekend's grand prix, with the opulent surroundings providing a poignant backdrop for those teams fighting for survival.

The Guardian - Sport

Or that Scotland, avid participant for over two centuries in the splendour and folly of empire, as the opulent houses near Glasgow and the Indian cemeteries full of young Campbells attest, should now wish to disown its senior partner.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although his opulent house was featured on MTV's "Cribs" last year, Hamlin is leaning against doing a reality show on his life off the track.

The New York Times - Sports

All of this – the rather opulent but segregated hall, the four-piece band blaring out Afghan party tunes for the dancing guests, the mountains of food – was not going to come without a big price tag.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diaghilev was bankrupted by the failure of his opulent production.

The Guardian

She was struck first by the humour of Ruhl's version – it's much funnier than she expected it to be, funnier, she suspects, than Sally Potter's opulent 1992 film version, in which Tilda Swinton starred, though she has refrained from watching this in full.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opulent" to describe settings, objects, or lifestyles that showcase excessive wealth and luxury. Avoid using it for simple or understated elegance.

Common error

Avoid using "opulent" to describe something merely expensive or well-made. "Opulent" implies a conspicuous display of wealth and extravagance.

Linguistic Context

The word "opulent" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of luxuriousness and richness. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "opulent" is used to describe physical spaces, lifestyles, and objects, emphasizing their lavish qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opulent" is an adjective that describes something marked by excessive wealth and luxury, often in a showy manner. It is frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to reserve "opulent" for situations truly characterized by conspicuous displays of wealth, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. Related words include "luxurious", "sumptuous", and "lavish", each with slightly different shades of meaning. Ludwig AI confirms that "opulent" is a correct and applicable term for describing luxurious environments and lifestyles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

luxurious

Focuses on comfort and indulgence rather than showiness.

sumptuous

Emphasizes richness and abundance, often in a culinary context.

lavish

Highlights the extravagance and generosity of something.

rich

A more general term indicating wealth and abundance.

grand

Suggests impressiveness and scale, often associated with buildings or events.

deluxe

Implies a higher quality and more expensive version of something.

plush

Focuses on the physical comfort and softness of luxurious materials.

splendid

Emphasizes beauty and magnificence.

gilded

Refers to being covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint, implying wealth.

princely

Suggests a level of luxury befitting royalty.

FAQs

How can I use "opulent" in a sentence?

You can use "opulent" to describe something that is very rich and luxurious in appearance, such as an ornate mansion or a fine dinner. For example, "The opulent palace was the envy of every other royal family in the region."

What can I say instead of "opulent"?

You can use alternatives like "luxurious", "sumptuous", or "lavish" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "opulent lifestyle" or "luxurious lifestyle"?

Both "opulent lifestyle" and "luxurious lifestyle" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Opulent lifestyle" suggests a more ostentatious and extravagant display of wealth, while "luxurious lifestyle" focuses more on comfort and high quality.

What's the difference between "opulent" and "extravagant"?

"Opulent" describes something that is rich and luxurious, while "extravagant" emphasizes excessiveness and wastefulness. Something can be "opulent" without being "extravagant", and vice versa.