opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈä-pyə-lənt 

: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as

a

: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation

living in opulent comfort

opulent furnishings

an opulent hotel

b

dated : having a large estate or property : wealthy

an opulent family

opulent industrialists

opulently adverb

Synonyms

• affluent
• deep-pocketed
• fat
• fat-cat
• flush
• loaded
• moneyed
• monied
• rich
• silk-stocking
• wealthy
• well-endowed
• well-fixed
• well-heeled
• well-off
• well-to-do

Choose the Right Synonym for opulent

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of opulent in a Sentence

an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions

an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques

Recent Examples on the Web

The worlds of hip-hop and reggaeton have been intertwined in both style and sound since the origins of both genres, particularly in their common affinity for opulent jewelry. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2025

Each year, the Maasai Mara draws visitors in droves to enjoy its polished hotels and opulent ecolodges, and for those in search of upscale accommodations that provide a fascinating perspective on the region, Mara Toto Tree Camp is the perfect spot. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Despite Edward’s mother still in mourning after the death of her husband Prince Albert, the young couple ushered in contemporary art, opulent balls and society events, which King George V and Queen Mary took charge of successfully. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

Russian ballet companies, including the Bolshoi, were a mainstay of this opulent theater, famous for its flawless acoustics. —Michael Robinson Chávez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin opulentus "abounding in resources, wealthy," from op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" + -ulentus "having in quantity, full of" (probably dissimilated from *-o-u̯ent-os, with Indo-European *-u̯ent-, suffix of possession) — more at opus

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

opulent

adjective

op·​u·​lent ˈäp-yə-lənt 

: having or showing much wealth

opulently adverb