noun

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

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."

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 notes

In 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

affluence → luxury → decadence → ostentation →

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'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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luxury lavishness splendour extravagance sumptuousness abundance plenty profusion

Antonyms

austerity frugality poverty plainness scarcity dearth

Related words

much lot enough deal lack mass plenty poverty

Rhymes for opulence

hence fence whence thence Spence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience

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.

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