Definition of luxuriant

The origin of the word "luxuriant" can be traced back to the Latin word "luxuriant-," which means "abundant" or "excessively rich." This Latin root was used to form various vocabulary words in Latin languages, including French and English. In French, the word "luxuriant" (pronounced as [lyksyʁˈjɑ̃]) was originally borrowed from Latin as "luxurians." It entered the French vocabulary during the Middle Ages and was used to describe something that was excessively rich or luxuriously abounding. In English, the word "luxuriant" entered the language through Old French around the 14th century. It mainly refers to something that is profusely or excessively rich or abundant in quality, foliage, or growth, for example, a "luxuriant garden" filled with lush green plants and trees or a "luxuriant field" filled with tall grasses. The etymological origin of the word "luxuriant" highlights its emphasis on abundance, richness, and excess, which underscores the word's current usage in modern English.