luxury

/ˈlʌkʃəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlʌkʃəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlək-sh(ə-)rē -zh(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlʌk.ʃər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlʌk.ʃɚ.i/ (ame, ipa)

luxury — noun

  • luxurysingular
  • luxuriesplural

1. a state of enjoying expensive things that make your life very comfortable and pl

1.名詞B1
釋義

a state of enjoying expensive things that make your life very comfortable and pleasant

例句

After years of hard work, Nila finally began to enjoy a life of luxury.

collocation: a life of luxury

The hotel offered every kind of luxury, from marble bathrooms to silk sheets.

collocation: every kind of luxury

同義詞
  • opulence

    more formal; emphasises grand, showy richness

  • affluence

    focuses on having a lot of money rather than the comfort it buys

  • extravagance

    implies spending that is excessive or wasteful

反義詞
  • poverty

    the state of being extremely poor

  • frugality

    a lifestyle of careful, minimal spending

文法句型

uncountable noun

用法筆記

Uncountable — do not use 'a luxury' for this meaning. Often modified by 'sheer', 'pure', or 'total' (e.g., 'sheer luxury').

常見錯誤

They live in a luxury.
They live in luxury.
💡sense 1 is uncountable and takes no article.
The interior was luxury.
The interior was luxurious.
💡use the adjective form in predicative position.

2. an item or service that costs a lot of money and gives you pleasure, but that yo

2.名詞B1
釋義

an item or service that costs a lot of money and gives you pleasure, but that you can live without

例句

A sports car is a luxury that most people can only dream about owning.

pattern: a luxury + relative clause

Bilal decided to spend his bonus on a small luxury, such as a designer watch.

collocation: a small luxury

同義詞
  • indulgence

    emphasises satisfying a desire rather than the cost

  • treat

    less formal; suggests a small, occasional reward

  • splurge

    informal; emphasises a sudden, generous spending on something

反義詞
  • necessity

    something you must have to live or work

  • essential

    something that is absolutely necessary

文法句型

countable noun — a luxury / luxuries

用法筆記

Countable — 'a luxury' (singular) and 'luxuries' (plural). Often contrasted with 'necessity', 'essential', or 'basic need'.

常見錯誤

Chocolate is my only luxury I cannot live without.
Chocolate is my only luxury, though I know I can live without it.
💡if you cannot live without it, it is not a luxury.
This car is a luxury, not a necessity.
This car is a luxury, but it is not a necessity.
💡the contrast must show they differ.

3. a benefit or pleasant experience that you rarely have the chance to enjoy

3.名詞B2
釋義

a benefit or pleasant experience that you rarely have the chance to enjoy

例句

For a busy teacher, an afternoon with no grading to do is a real luxury.

pattern: [situation] is a real luxury

Yan lived far from the ocean, so weekends at the beach were a rare luxury.

collocation: a rare luxury

同義詞
  • privilege

    focuses on being lucky to have the opportunity

  • treat

    less formal; something that feels special when it happens

  • bonus

    informal; an unexpected extra advantage

反義詞
  • hardship

    difficult or unpleasant conditions

  • chore

    a routine task that is boring or tiring

文法句型

a luxury to [verb]

countable noun — a luxury

用法筆記

Often appears in the pattern 'It is a luxury to [verb]' (e.g., 'It is a luxury to sleep late'). Distinguished from sense 2: the focus here is on time, opportunity, or convenience, not monetary cost.

常見錯誤

A diamond ring is a luxury I rarely have.
A diamond ring is a luxury I cannot afford.
💡sense 3 is for time/opportunity pleasures, not expensive items (use sense 2).
It is a luxury to have breakfast every morning.
It is a luxury to have a quiet breakfast without rushing.
💡the pleasure must come from something you cannot normally do, not from a routine activity.

luxury — adjective