lush
LUHSH
Lush (adj) means growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life. Example: “The valley was covered in lush green vegetation after weeks of rain.”
adj
1
Growing thickly and vigorously; richly green and full of life.
"The valley was covered in lush green vegetation after weeks of rain."
2
Luxurious or richly appealing.
"They stayed in a lush hotel suite overlooking the bay."
noun
1
Informal: a person who drinks alcohol heavily.
"The old lush at the end of the bar hadn't left his stool in hours."
How to use lush
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThick, green, and vigorous-looking, or luxuriously rich; informally, a heavy drinker.
When to use it
The "heavy drinker" sense is informal and can be seen as insulting.
Common pairings
lush greenery
lush surroundings
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Word forms
- Plural
- lushes
- Third person singular
- lushes
- Past tense
- lushed
- Comparative
- lusher
- Superlative
- lushest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The valley was covered in _____ green vegetation after weeks of rain.
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lush
See all rhymes for 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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