sensual
gb/sˈɛnʃuəl/ us/sˈɛnʃuəl/
B2
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
sexually pleasing to the senses
Making someone feel sexual pleasure through touch, sight, sound, smell, or taste.
Usage pattern:
a sensual [touch/kiss/voice/dance]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "sensual" with "sensitive" or "sensible." "Sensual" is about physical and often sexual pleasure, while "sensitive" is about easily feeling emotions or physical pain, and "sensible" means practical or reasonable.
Synonyms
sexy (More informal and direct; often stronger and more obviously sexual.)
|
erotic (Focuses very clearly on sexual desire and arousal, often more explicit than "sensual.")
Antonyms
chaste (Describes behavior or atmosphere without sexual activity or suggestion.)
|
nonsexual (States clearly that something has no sexual content or meaning.)
Collocations
sensual lips
|sensual kiss
|sensual touch
|sensual dance
|sensual music
|sensual movements
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|body
|appearance
|health
Examples
- The slow, sensual dance was meant to seduce the audience.
- He brushed her arm in a deliberately sensual way.
- The perfume commercial was filled with close-up shots and sensual music.
- She spoke in a low, sensual voice that made him blush.
- The film was criticized for its highly sensual scenes.
Learner examples
- They shared a long, sensual kiss.
- The singer’s sensual voice made the song feel very romantic.
- The ad used soft lights and sensual music to suggest desire.
- He gave her a gentle, sensual touch on the neck.
- The movie has a lot of sensual dancing.
unknown
C1
property
2
liking physical, especially sexual, pleasure
Describing someone who really likes physical and often sexual pleasure, such as touch, food, or comfort.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a sensual person
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "sensual" always means "romantic." It can include romance, but it mainly focuses on physical, body-based pleasure. Also, "sensual" is about enjoying pleasure, while "sexual" only describes things related to sex.
Synonyms
hedonistic (Stronger focus on seeking all kinds of pleasure, not only physical or sexual; often sounds more critical or moralistic.)
|
sensuous (Very close in meaning but can sound a bit more neutral or artistic; does not always imply sexuality.)
Antonyms
ascetic (Describes someone who avoids physical pleasures and lives very simply, often for moral or religious reasons.)
|
puritanical (Describes someone who strongly disapproves of physical and especially sexual pleasure.)
Collocations
a very sensual person
|deeply sensual
|openly sensual
|naturally sensual
|sensual man
|sensual woman
Themes
personality
|relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was a deeply sensual man who loved good food, warm baths, and long kisses.
- She has a sensual nature and enjoys expressing affection through touch.
- The writer describes herself as sensual rather than romantic, focused on physical closeness.
- His sensual side comes out when he cooks and pours wine for his friends.
- They saw him as too sensual and fun-loving for the strict religious community.
Learner examples
- She is a very sensual person who loves skin contact.
- He is sensual and enjoys good food and soft clothes.
- My friend is not very sensual; he does not care about touch or taste.
- Her boyfriend is gentle and sensual in bed.
- People say he is sensual because he likes sex and comfort.
adjective
C1
property
3
pleasing to the bodily senses
Giving strong pleasure to the body through the senses, for example through taste, touch, or smell, and not always sexual.
Usage pattern:
a sensual [experience/food/sound/touch]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this sense is always sexual, but it can describe non-sexual pleasure, such as food, music, or a hot bath. For neutral descriptions of the senses without pleasure, "sensory" is usually a better word.
Synonyms
sensory (More technical or neutral; describes anything related to the senses, without implying pleasure or luxury.)
|
luxurious (Focuses on richness and comfort rather than direct bodily sensation, but often overlaps in advertising language.)
Antonyms
intellectual (Focuses on the mind and thinking rather than on bodily sensation and pleasure.)
|
spiritual (Focuses on the soul or higher values instead of physical, sense-based pleasure.)
Collocations
sensual experience
|sensual delight
|sensual pleasure of food
|rich and sensual colors
|sensual textures
|sensual enjoyment
Themes
arts
|food
|emotions
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The meal was a sensual experience, with rich flavors and warm, melting textures.
- The painter is known for her sensual use of color and light.
- Soft fabrics and candles created a deeply sensual atmosphere in the room.
- He described the music as warm, dark, and intensely sensual.
- The spa visit was a sensual escape of hot steam, soft towels, and gentle scents.
Learner examples
- The cake was a sensual pleasure with its rich taste.
- She loves the sensual feeling of silk on her skin.
- The hot bath was a sensual experience after a long day.
- The movie shows the sensual beauty of food and cooking.
- The song has a soft, sensual sound that relaxes me.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sensual
IPA
GB/sˈɛnʃuəl/
US/sˈɛnʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
sen - su - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sen)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sensual
Word family
Expressions
sensual pleasure
1/sˈɛnʃuəl plˈɛʒɚ/
fixed phrase
pleasure from bodily and sexual senses
Physical pleasure that comes from the body and senses, often but not always sexual.
Examples
- The novel explores the conflict between spiritual duty and sensual pleasure.
- The ad promises a moment of pure sensual pleasure with every piece of chocolate.
- He believes life is meant to be enjoyed and does not feel guilty about sensual pleasure.