lush

UK: /ˈlʌʃ/ US: /lʌʃ/ ,(lush)

Inflections of 'lush' (adj):

lusher

adj comparative

lushest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lush¹ /lʌʃ/   adj., -er, -est. 

1. Botany (of plants, vegetation, etc.) growing in great number or amount:
   lush grass in the meadow.
2. showing or having an abundant supply of riches, wealth, comfort, or luxury:
   a lush life.

lush•ness, n. [uncountable]

lush² /lʌʃ/   n. [countable] [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms a drunkard.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lush¹  (lush), adj., -er, -est. 

1. Botany (of vegetation, plants, grasses, etc.) luxuriant;
   succulent;
   tender and juicy.
2. Botany characterized by luxuriant vegetation:
   a lush valley.
3. characterized by luxuriousness, opulence, etc.:
   the lush surroundings of his home.

• 1400–50; late Middle English lusch slack; akin to Old English lysu bad, lēas lax, Middle Low German lasch slack, Old Norse lǫskr weak, Gothic lasiws weak

lush′ly, adv. 
lush′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. luxurious, fresh.

Antonyms

• 1. withered, stale.

lush²  (lush), [Slang.]
n. 

1. Slang Terms drunkard;
   alcoholic;
   sot.
2. Slang Terms intoxicating liquor.

v.i. 

3. Slang Terms to drink liquor.

v.t. 

4. Slang Terms to drink (liquor).

• perh. facetious application of lush¹ 1780–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lush / lʌʃ/ adjective

1. (of vegetation) abounding in lavish growth
2. (esp of fruits) succulent and fleshy
3. luxurious, elaborate, or opulent

Etymology: 15th Century: probably from Old French lasche lax, lazy, from Latin laxus loose; perhaps related to Old English lǣc, Old Norse lakr weak, German lasch loose

ˈlushly adverb

ˈlushness noun

lush / lʌʃ/ noun

1. a heavy drinker, esp an alcoholic
2. alcoholic drink

verb

1. to drink (alcohol) to excess

Etymology: 19th Century: origin unknown