lush

18 synonyms and 1 antonym for lush, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

grand

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

abundant deluxe luxurious juicy alcoholic

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

luxuriant verdant opulent sumptuous luscious gilded exuberant soaker boozer dipsomaniac alky souse

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life.

“The valley was covered in lush green vegetation after weeks of rain.”

luxuriant verdant opulent sumptuous abundant grand luscious gilded exuberant deluxe luxurious juicy

2. adj

Luxurious or richly appealing.

“They stayed in a lush hotel suite overlooking the bay.”

Opposites

poor

3. noun

Informal: a person who drinks alcohol heavily.

“The old lush at the end of the bar hadn't left his stool in hours.”

soaker boozer dipsomaniac alcoholic alky souse

How to use lush

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

lush greenery lush surroundings

The "heavy drinker" sense is informal and can be seen as insulting.

Etymology

From Middle English lusch ("slack, limp"), from Old English roots meaning weak or feeble — the modern sense of "lush, green, and thriving" developed later.

Full origin of lush →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lush” mean?

The word “lush” means growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life. In plain terms, thick, green, and vigorous-looking, or luxuriously rich; informally, a heavy drinker.

How do you pronounce “lush”?

“Lush” is pronounced LUHSH (/ˈlʌʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lush” in a sentence?

Here is “lush” used in a sentence: “The valley was covered in lush green vegetation after weeks of rain.”

What part of speech is “lush”?

Depending on how it is used, “lush” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “lush” come from?

The word “lush” comes from Old English. From Middle English lusch ("slack, limp"), from Old English roots meaning weak or feeble — the modern sense of "lush, green, and thriving" developed later.

Is “lush” a common word?

“Lush” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “lush” have?

“Lush” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life.

What is the difference between "lush" and "luxurious"?

"Lush" most often describes vegetation that is thick, green, and full of life, or something richly appealing, while "luxurious" specifically describes comfort and high quality, often linked to expense. Both can describe richness, but "lush" is used more for natural growth and "luxurious" more for comfort and quality.

What does it mean to call someone a "lush"?

As an informal noun, "a lush" refers to a person who drinks alcohol heavily. This use is distinct from the adjective senses describing thick vegetation or luxurious appeal.

Is "lush" mainly used to describe plants or can it describe other things too?

"Lush" is commonly used for vegetation that grows thickly and vigorously, but it also describes anything richly appealing or luxurious, such as a lush interior or a lush lifestyle.

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poor grand alcoholic abundant deluxe luxurious juicy gilded soaker verdant souse dipsomaniac

Nearby words

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