o-p-u-l-e-n-c-e
OPULENCE means great wealth, luxuriousness, or lavishness. It describes a state of extreme material abundance and ostentatious display of riches.
12
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
OPULENCE signifies ostentatious wealth and luxurious abundance. More than mere richness, opulence implies a visible, often excessive display of material prosperity - think gold-leafed ceilings, marble columns, and crystal chandeliers. It represents not just having wealth, but showing it in the most lavish way possible. The word captures the essence of conspicuous consumption and material excess. From the opulence of Versailles to modern luxury hotels, it describes environments and lifestyles characterized by sumptuous surroundings and extravagant indulgence. Opulence goes beyond necessity or even comfort - it's about creating an atmosphere of overwhelming richness.Manifestations of opulence:
The word opulence derives from the Latin opulentia, meaning "wealth, riches, resources." This comes from opulentus meaning "wealthy, rich," which itself stems from ops (genitive opis) meaning "power, resources, wealth." The Latin root ops is related to opus meaning "work" - suggesting that wealth comes from productive work. The same root gave us "opulent" (the adjective form) and "copious" (abundant). In Roman mythology, Ops was the goddess of fertility and earth's abundance. Opulence entered Middle English through Old French in the 15th century, initially meaning simply "wealth" or "riches." Over time, it evolved to emphasize the showy, ostentatious display of wealth rather than wealth itself. This shift reflects changing attitudes toward conspicuous consumption - what was once merely descriptive became tinged with implications of excess.
•The Palace of Versailles cost about 2 billion dollars in today's money - peak opulence
•The word "opulence" gained popularity during the Gilded Age of extreme wealth disparity
•Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel features a helipad and gold-plated everything - modern opulence
•Ancient Rome's Domus Aurea had a rotating dining room and artificial lake
"The opulence of the ambassador's residence was overwhelming - every surface gleamed with gold."
"Despite their opulence, the newly rich family felt empty and disconnected from their roots."
"The hotel's opulence extended from its marble lobby to its rooftop infinity pool."
Words with similar meaning
Affluence
Abundant wealth
Luxury
Expensive comfort
Lavishness
Generous excess
Magnificence
Splendid grandeur
Words with opposite meaning
Poverty
Lack of resources
Austerity
Severe simplicity
Frugality
Economical living
Modesty
Unassuming simplicity
Adjective Form
opulent
An opulent mansion overlooked the bay.
Adverb Form
opulently
They lived opulently in Dubai.
Related Terms
Overwhelming wealth display
Showy, excessive luxury
Subtle but expensive
Shorter words within OPULENCE:
Throughout history, opulence has served as a symbol of power and divine right. From Egyptian pharaohs buried with golden treasures to European monarchs in jewel-encrusted crowns, displays of opulence reinforced social hierarchies. The Sun King Louis XIV made Versailles the ultimate expression of royal opulence, using luxury to awe nobles into submission and project French power across Europe.
The late 19th century Gilded Age epitomized American opulence. Industrialists like the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers built palatial "cottages" in Newport, threw parties costing millions in today's dollars, and competed in displays of wealth. This era gave us the term "conspicuous consumption" and sparked both fascination with and criticism of extreme wealth that continues today.
Today's opulence takes new forms - from tech billionaires' mega-yachts to Dubai's gold-vending ATMs. Social media has democratized displays of wealth while also creating "fake opulence" through rented luxury goods and staged photos. The sustainability movement challenges traditional opulence, promoting "conscious luxury" that values experiences and craftsmanship over pure material excess.
Opulence vs. Affluence
Display of wealth vs. having wealth
Opulence vs. Elegance
Excessive luxury vs. refined taste
Positive or negative?
Context determines connotation
Other valuable words about wealth and luxury in Scrabble
Total base points: 12 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 4
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like OPULENCE