sensual

adjective

sen·​su·​al ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl How to pronounce sensual (audio)
-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : fleshly
2
3
a
: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites
c
: deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests : worldly
especially : irreligious
sensually
ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wə-lē How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shə-lē
adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for sensual

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body.

carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

gave in to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

sensuous, sensual, luxurious, voluptuous mean relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses.

sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure.

the sensuous delights of great music

sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves.

a life devoted to sensual pleasures

luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor.

a luxurious hotel

voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure.

a voluptuous feast

Examples of sensual in a Sentence

A sharp observer with a pleasing eye for sensual detail, Jaffrey weaves a richly textured story in which she effortlessly mingles quotidian dramas with historic events including the partition of India. Michelle Green, People, 6 Nov. 2006
And Rousseau, in his Confessions, wrote of the sensual pleasure he found in simple meals of peasant cheeses and breads. Andrea Lee, Gourmet, May 2004
Certain fragrances apparently heighten sensual experiences. the sensual feel of a velvet shirt against the skin
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even Lucy Liu — yes, of Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill fame — has explored erotic art, producing a series of sensual paintings from 2006 to 2008 in homage to Shunga, a form of Japanese erotic art practiced from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. Chris Erik Thomas, Them, 10 Feb. 2025 What begins as quiet observation — lingering glances, shared silences — soon blossoms into an intense, sensual romance, culminating in a devastating final shot that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Janey Tracey, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025 The dress is sensual and minimalist, with three on-trend colorway options that include the Pantone Color of the Year–adjacent Amethyst. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025 Just in time for Valentines Day, the sensual song was released Thursday with a music video that includes narration from Puerto Rican singer Lenny Tavárez. Thania Garcia, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sensual 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin sensualis, from Latin sensus sense

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sensual was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sensual

Cite this Entry

“Sensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensual. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

sensual

adjective
sen·​su·​al ˈsench-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shəl
1
: relating to or consisting in the pleasing of the senses
2
: devoted to the pleasures of the senses
sensuality noun
sensually
ˈsench-(ə-)wə-lē How to pronounce sensual (audio)
ˈsen-shə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

sensual

adjective
1
2
: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite
3
: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites

More from Merriam-Webster on sensual

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