sumptuous
adjective

- impressive in a way that seems expensive

Cambridge Dictionary

—
ORIGIN

Late 15th century, from Old French ‘sumptueux’ or directly from Latin ‘sumptuosus’ meaning costly, very expensive, lavish, wasteful.

—
DINNER FOR ONE

Roman consul Lucullus was famed for his lavish feasts. One evening, dining alone, he noticed to his dismay that the preparations were not up to their usual standard.

He summoned a servant, who explained that, as no guests were being entertained that evening, it had been assumed that the master would be content with a less SUMPTUOUS meal.

“Do you not know,” Lucullus angrily replied, “that this evening Lucullus dines with Lucullus?”

—
IF GOD COULD AFFORD IT

Alexander Woollcott once visited the playwright Moss Hart’s SUMPTUOUS country home, set in lovely landscaped grounds. “Just what God would have done,” Woollcott remarked, “if he had had the money.”

—
SYNONYMS

Babylonian, beyond price, deluxe, epicurean, expensive, extravagant, fit for a king, fit for a queen, grandiose, hedonistic, luxurious, lavish, Lucullian, luscious, lush, luxuriant, magnificent, no-expense spared, opulent, over the top, palatial, peacocky, plush, posh, princely, resplendent, rich, ritzy, splashy, splendid, SUMPTUOUS, swank, with all the extras, with all the options, with bells and whistles

—
PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

"Receptions at the embassy used to be SUMPTUOUS occasions."

—
HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

Paul Smith