luxury Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
noun the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
sumptuousness; lavishness; sumptuosity.
noun wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
sumptuousness; luxuriousness; opulence.

L. luxuria, fr. luxus: cf. F. luxure.

plural Luxuries

A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.
Riches expose a man to pride and luxury. Spectator.
Anything which pleases the senses, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; as, silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury.
He cut the side of a rock for a garden, and, by laying on it earth, furnished out a kind of luxury for a hermit. Addison.
Lechery; lust. Obs. Shak.
Luxury is in wine and drunkenness. Chaucer.
Luxuriance; exuberance. Obs. Bacon. Syn. -- Voluptuousness; epicurism; effeminacy; sensuality; lasciviousness; dainty; delicacy; gratification.