luxuriate
C1Formal, literary; occasionally humorous.
Definition
Meaning
To take great pleasure and satisfaction from something, typically from being in a state of physical ease and comfort; to revel in or enjoy something luxurious.
1. To grow or develop in a lush, abundant, or vigorous manner (often used for plants). 2. To indulge oneself in something pleasurable to an extravagant degree.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a deliberate, often self-indulgent, enjoyment of comfort, pleasure, or abundance. It has a positive, sometimes slightly hedonistic, connotation. The sense relating to plant growth is less common but still valid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic or semantic differences. The word is used and understood similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British literary or descriptive prose, but the difference is marginal.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but perhaps slightly higher in UK English in written descriptions of comfort or leisure.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] luxuriates in [Noun Phrase/ Gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] in one's element (related conceptually)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hyperbolic marketing: 'Luxuriate in our premium business-class seating.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in literary or cultural studies discussing themes of hedonism or comfort.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech; used for deliberate, humorous, or descriptive effect about relaxation.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She planned to luxuriate in a long, hot soak after the marathon.
- The guests could luxuriate in the hotel's spa facilities.
American English
- He loves to luxuriate in the jacuzzi on weekends.
- On vacation, we just luxuriated by the pool all day.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'luxuriate' is not an adverb. The related adverb is 'luxuriously'.
American English
- N/A - 'luxuriate' is not an adverb. The related adverb is 'luxuriously'.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'luxuriate' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'luxurious'.
American English
- N/A - 'luxuriate' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'luxurious'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- On holiday, she likes to luxuriate in the sun.
- After a hard week, I'm going to luxuriate in a bubble bath tonight.
- The novel's protagonist luxuriates in the opulence of the palace, forgetting her humble origins.
- The vines luxuriated in the fertile volcanic soil, producing grapes of exceptional quality.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LUXURY' + 'ATE' — you are 'eating up' or consuming luxury, enjoying it fully.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLEASURE/COMFORT IS A LIQUID (to bask/wallow/luxuriate in it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'люксовать' (non-standard). The closest is 'блаженствовать', 'наслаждаться', 'купаться в роскоши'. The Russian verb 'люксовать' is a slang calque and not standard.
- Avoid translating the plant growth sense with 'буйно расти' for this verb; that is 'luxuriant'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without the preposition 'in': *'I luxuriate the bath.' (Correct: 'I luxuriate in the bath.')
- Confusing it with the adjective 'luxuriant' (meaning lush/abundant growth).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'luxuriate' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an intransitive verb that requires the preposition 'in' to introduce the source of pleasure (e.g., luxuriate in a bath, in comfort).
'Luxuriate' is a verb meaning to enjoy luxury. 'Luxurious' is an adjective describing something that is full of luxury or very comfortable (e.g., a luxurious hotel).
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word, more common in written English (literary, descriptive, or advertising) than in everyday conversation.
Rarely. It is overwhelmingly positive, though it can imply self-indulgence or hedonism in certain critical contexts (e.g., 'He luxuriated in his wealth while others suffered.').