The spelling of "luscious" can be a bit tricky, but it's important to remember that the "shi" sound in this word is spelled with a "sc" and not a "ch." The IPA phonetic transcription for "luscious" is /ˈlʌʃəs/. The "l" sound is pronounced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge, the "ʌ" sound is a short vowel sound, the "sh" sound is represented by the "sc," and the final "s" sound is pronounced with a hissing sound. Overall, "luscious" is spelled as it sounds, with the exception of the "sc" spelling for the "sh" sound.
Luscious, as an adjective, describes something that is highly attractive, pleasing, or appealing, especially in terms of sensory experiences, particularly taste or appearance. This word is often used to convey a sense of delightful richness, seductiveness, or indulgence.
In terms of taste, it denotes food or flavors that are exceptionally delicious, typically characterized by their sweetness, richness, and fullness. A luscious dessert, for instance, would generally be sumptuous, delectable, and leave an intensely pleasurable sensation in the mouth.
When referring to appearance, luscious typically indicates something that is visually alluring, enchanting, or charmingly attractive. It often pertains to physical features or objects that are luxuriously full, vibrant, or enticing, capturing the attention and evoking desire. For example, luscious lips may refer to plump, beautifully shaped lips that are considered enticing or sensual.
Furthermore, this term can also extend beyond the realm of food and aesthetics. It can be used to describe a luscious musical performance, with a lush and harmonious sound that captivates the listener. It may also describe a luscious scent, with a fragrance that is intensely appealing and invigorating to the senses.
Overall, the term "luscious" conveys an almost hedonistic pleasure, often associated with sensory excess and the heightened enjoyment of life's gratifying experiences.
Very sweet; grateful to the taste; sweet to excess.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "luscious" originates from the Old French word "luscious" (also spelled "luschious"), which meant "delicious, sweet, tempting, delightful". This Old French term ultimately stems from the Latin word "lusciosus", meaning "full of juice" or "juicy". The Latin word, in turn, derived from the noun "lucus", which referred to a sacred grove or woods. The association with the sense of "juicy" likely arose from the idea of the woods being abundant with fruit-bearing trees. Over time, "luscious" shifted in meaning but retained its sense of being delicious, delightful, and appealing to the senses.