sensuous
Pleasing the body
Sensuous describes experiences that engage or gratify the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell—in a pleasurable way.
A sensuous fabric feels luxurious against the skin; sensuous music envelops the listener.
The word was coined to describe aesthetic and physical pleasures without the sexual overtones of sensual, though the distinction has blurred over time.
The sensuous curves of the sculpture caught the afternoon light.
Hot, humid, or alluring
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- steamyHot, moist, or erotic
- intimateClosely personal or private
provocative · alluring · enticing · amorous · romantic · desire · yearning · ardent
Emitting pleasant smell
- perfumedTreated with fragrance
- scentedHaving added fragrance
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
- intoxicatingCausing altered mental state
heady · musky · floral · spiced · incense · redolent · bouquet · essence
Self-indulgent, often corruptly
- hedonisticDevoted to sensual pursuits
- epicureanConnoisseur of sensual pleasures
- sybariticExcessively fond of luxury
- luxuriousMarked by costly elegance
sumptuous · lavish · plush · opulent · pleasure-seeking · pampering · gratification · voluptuary
Thick-pile textile
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- caressGentle loving touch
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
smoothness · texture · warmth · touch · fingertips · skin · massage · silkiness
Extremely pleasing to taste
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- flavorfulHaving strong taste
- palatableAcceptable to the tongue
mouthwatering · rich · creamy · buttery · honeyed · nectarous · ambrosial · toothsome
sultry
Hot, humid, or alluring
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- steamyHot, moist, or erotic
intimate · provocative · alluring · enticing · amorous · romantic · desire · yearning · ardent · smoldering
fragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
intoxicating · heady · musky · floral · spiced · incense · redolent · bouquet · essence · wafting
decadent
Self-indulgent, often corruptly
- hedonisticDevoted to sensual pursuits
- epicureanConnoisseur of sensual pleasures
- sybariticExcessively fond of luxury
luxurious · sumptuous · lavish · plush · opulent · pleasure-seeking · pampering · gratification · voluptuary · languorous
velvet
Thick-pile textile
softness · smoothness · texture · warmth · touch · fingertips · skin · massage · silkiness · brush
delectable
Extremely pleasing to taste
palatable · mouthwatering · rich · creamy · buttery · honeyed · nectarous · ambrosial · toothsome · luscious
melodic
Musically pleasing to hear
- harmoniousPleasingly in accord
- resonantDeeply vibrating with sound
- euphonicAgreeable in sound
sonorous · dulcet · mellifluous · lilting · soothing · rhythmic · velvety · honeyed · lyrical · crooning
beauty
Aesthetic excellence
form · composition · lush · richness · contour · curves · palette · visual · sculptural · flowing
- sensualityarousal, carnal, eroticism, erotic, intimacy
- indulgenceindulgence, indulge, indulgent, self-indulgent, overindulgence
sensuousnumbing
Causing loss of sensation
anesthetic · deadening · dulling · unstimulating · bland
sensuouscerebral
Relating to intellect
intellectual · abstract · rational · analytical · cognitive