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luxury

/ˈlʌgʒəri/
/ˈlʌgʃəri/
IPA guide

Other forms: luxuries

A luxury is something that is pleasant to have or experience, but it is not necessary. For example, eating in a restaurant is a luxury — you can always cook and eat at home.

In its earliest days, luxury meant "excess that is sinfully self-indulgent." Over time, this definition softened, losing the air of judgment, but retaining the sense that a luxury is enjoyable or comfortable, but not necessary. We often think of a luxury as something costly, but this isn't always so. For example, being able to sleep late or live within walking distance of loved ones or a beautiful forest can also be luxuries.

Definitions of luxury
  1. noun
    something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
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    types:
    amenity
    something that provides value, pleasure, or convenience
    type of:
    indulgence, self-indulgence
    an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires
  2. noun
    the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
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    type of:
    expensiveness
    the quality of being high-priced
  3. noun
    wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
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    type of:
    wealth, wealthiness
    the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlʌgʒəri/
UK
/ˈlʌgʃəri/
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