Opulence

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɒp.jʊl.əns/

Definitions

1. A lavish and extravagant lifestyle is marked by an abundance of wealth and luxuriousness that signifies great prosperity and indulgence
2. The state of being wealthy is highlighted by a display of fine living, richness, and a high level of sumptuousness
3. A condition characterized by extreme wealth and luxury, exemplifying lavishness and affluence that often leads to excessive indulgence

Etymology: "Opulence" comes from Latin "opulentia," which is built from "ops," meaning wealth or resources, and the adjective "opulentus," meaning rich or abundant. The Latin root "ops" also gave us "opus," meaning work, and it has a deeper link to the idea of material plenty: the Roman goddess Ops was the personification of abundance and the harvest, and her name is tied to the word for resources. The English noun came to us through French, which kept the Latin sense of wealth in plenty. Many English words with the "opulent" family have crossed over from French, so the path from Latin to English ran through the French "opulence." The word is a neat example of how a Roman term for resources and plentiful harvest turned into a modern word for lavish living.

Synonyms: luxury, richness, affluence, lavishness, grandeur

Antonyms: poverty, destitution, austerity, meagerness, simplicity