luxuries
luxuries — adjective
1. describing a thing that costs a lot of money and is made to give people a feelin
describing a thing that costs a lot of money and is made to give people a feeling of high comfort or style
Omar booked a luxury hotel near the beach for his anniversary trip.
attributive: luxury + noun (hotel/car/cruise)
The new luxury apartments in central Lisbon sell for over two million euros.
luxury + plural noun for property/products
Adina was offered a free ride home in a luxury car after the wedding.
The cruise ship offers luxury cabins with private balconies and ocean views.
文法句型
luxury + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun, never after 'be' (you cannot say 'the hotel is luxury'; use 'luxurious' instead). Common with words for travel, property, vehicles, and personal goods.
常見錯誤
luxuries — noun
1. the state of being surrounded by very pleasant and costly things, so that daily
the state of being surrounded by very pleasant and costly things, so that daily life feels relaxed, beautiful, and free of worry
After winning the lottery, Ramón and his family lived in complete luxury for years.
live in (complete) luxury — typical pattern for the abstract state
The five-star resort surrounded guests with the luxury of marble floors and hand-stitched linens.
the luxury of + concrete details
Élise grew up in the lap of luxury, with private tutors and summer homes in three countries.
Soft music, warm towels, and slow service made the spa feel like pure luxury.
After months in a war zone, Aarav said even a hot shower felt like luxury.
文法句型
live in luxury
in the lap of luxury
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — no plural and no 'a luxury'. Distinguish from sense 2 (a single expensive item) and sense 3 (a rare treat); only this sense names the whole rich way of living.
常見錯誤
2. an item that costs much more than the average person would normally spend, bring
an item that costs much more than the average person would normally spend, bringing enjoyment or status without filling any real daily need — for example, designer handbags, fine wine, or a second car
On a student budget, Jin treats fresh strawberries as a small luxury rather than a weekly food.
treat X as a luxury — frames an item by its cost relative to budget
The new tax targets luxuries such as private jets, yachts, and designer watches.
luxuries such as + list of expensive items
During the recession, many families gave up small luxuries like cable television and weekly takeaway dinners.
Esme saved for two years to afford the one luxury she really wanted: a Japanese kitchen knife.
Many shoppers told the reporter that good coffee is a luxury they refuse to give up.
- indulgence
stresses the pleasure side; often food or self-care
- extravagance
slightly negative; suggests spending too much
- non-essential
neutral, technical — common in economics and budget talk
文法句型
a luxury
afford a luxury
the luxuries of life
用法筆記
Countable in this sense — frequently plural ('luxuries') when listing several non-essentials. Distinguish from sense 3, which names a rare experience or activity rather than an item you buy.
常見錯誤
3. an experience, activity, or moment of free time that brings real pleasure becaus
an experience, activity, or moment of free time that brings real pleasure because most people, including the speaker, rarely get a chance to enjoy it
For a busy nurse, sleeping until noon on a Sunday is the greatest luxury.
be the greatest luxury — singular, framing a rare experience
Amihan said reading a novel uninterrupted for two hours was a real luxury since her twins were born.
a real luxury + reason it is rare for the speaker
Working from home gives Christopher the luxury of cooking lunch every day.
Long uninterrupted weekends were a luxury that Kwame had not enjoyed since starting medical school.
After raising three children, Nellie finally has the luxury of an entire morning to herself.
- treat
lighter and more everyday; a small pleasure
- privilege
stresses that not everyone gets the chance
- indulgence
focuses on the pleasure of giving in to a desire
文法句型
a luxury (to do something)
the luxury of + -ing
用法筆記
Often introduced by 'the luxury of' + an -ing form (or a noun) naming the activity. Distinguish from sense 2: a luxury here is time or experience, not a physical item bought with money.