noun
C2
Proficient
opulence
OP-yoo-luhnss
Opulence (noun) means Great wealth displayed in a lavish, visibly expensive way. Example: “The opulence of the ballroom, all gilt and chandeliers, made her feel underdressed.”
noun
1
Great wealth displayed in a lavish, visibly expensive way.
"The opulence of the ballroom, all gilt and chandeliers, made her feel underdressed."
"Their wedding was staged with an opulence the family could not really afford."
2
Abundance of a resource; the state of having a great deal of something.
"The opulence of the harvest kept the village fed through a hard winter."
How to use opulence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWealth that is obvious and shown off.
When to use it
Formal and literary; common in interiors, fashion and travel writing.
Memory tip
Stress the first syllable. Opulence describes things and settings far more often than it describes people.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sheer opulence
gilded opulence
an air of opulence
opulence and excess
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the ballroom, all gilt and chandeliers, made her feel underdressed.
Etymology
From Latin opulentia 'wealth, riches', from opulentus 'rich', related to ops 'power, resources'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for opulence
See all rhymes for opulence →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between opulence and wealth?
Wealth is simply how much you have; opulence is how conspicuously it is spent and shown. A very rich person living in a plain house has wealth without opulence.
Is opulence a compliment?
It depends on the writer's tone. Applied to architecture, fabrics or interiors it is usually admiring. Applied to someone's lifestyle it often carries a hint of excess or vulgarity.
What is the adjective form?
Opulent, as in an opulent suite or opulent velvet drapes. The adverb is opulently.
What is the meaning of opulence?
"opulence" (noun) means great wealth displayed in a lavish, visibly expensive way.
