lu|rid /ljʊə r I d, [AM ] lʊ r I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is lurid , you are critical of it because it involves a lot of violence, sex, or shocking detail. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …lurid accounts of Claire's sexual exploits. □ Some reports have contained lurid accounts of deaths and mutilations. ● lu|rid|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ His cousin was soon cursing luridly.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as lurid , you do not like it because it is very brightly coloured. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She took care to paint her toe nails a lurid red or orange. ● lu|rid|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ It had a high ceiling and a luridly coloured square of carpet on the floor.
lurk /lɜː r k/ (lurks , lurking , lurked )
1 VERB If someone lurks somewhere, they wait there secretly so that they cannot be seen, usually because they intend to do something bad. □ [V ] He thought he saw someone lurking above the chamber during the address.
2 VERB If something such as a danger, doubt, or fear lurks somewhere, it exists but is not obvious or easily recognized. □ [V ] Hidden dangers lurk in every family saloon car. □ [V ] Around every corner lurked doubt and uncertainty.
lus|cious /lʌ ʃəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a woman or something about her as luscious , you mean that you find her or this thing sexually attractive. □ …a luscious young blonde. □ What I like most about Gabby is her luscious lips!
2 ADJ Luscious food is juicy and very good to eat. □ …a small apricot tree which bore luscious fruit.
lush /lʌ ʃ/ (lusher , lushest )
1 ADJ Lush fields or gardens have a lot of very healthy grass or plants. □ …the lush green meadows bordering the river. □ The beautifully landscaped gardens sprawl with lush vegetation. ● lush|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …a tropical lushness.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you describe a place or thing as lush , you mean that it is very luxurious. □ …a mirrored bathroom done in soft pink tiles with a lush, plush carpet. □ The fabrics were lush.
3 ADJ-GRADED If you describe a person or thing as lush , you mean that they are very attractive or appealing. [INFORMAL ] □ Supermodel Kate Moss explains how she looks lush for every party.
lust /lʌ st/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Lust is a feeling of strong sexual desire for someone. □ His relationship with Angie was the first which combined lust with friendship. □ [+ for ] His lust for her grew until it was overpowering.
2 N‑UNCOUNT A lust for something is a very strong and eager desire to have it. □ [+ for ] It was Fred's lust for glitz and glamour that was driving them apart.
▸ lust after or lust for
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lust after someone or lust for them, you feel a very strong sexual desire for them. □ [V P n] From what I hear, half the campus is lusting after her.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you lust after or lust for something, you have a very strong desire to possess it. □ [V P n] Sheard lusted after the Directorship.
lust|ful /lʌ stfʊl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lustful means feeling or expressing strong sexual desire. □ …lustful thoughts.
lus|tre /lʌ stə r / in AM, use luster 1 N‑UNCOUNT Lustre is gentle shining light that is reflected from a surface, for example from polished metal. □ Gold retains its lustre for far longer than other metals. □ It is softer than cotton and nylon and has a similar lustre to silk.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Lustre is the qualities that something has that make it interesting and exciting. □ What do you do if your relationship is beginning to lose its lustre?
lus|trous /lʌ strəs/ ADJ Something that is lustrous shines brightly and gently, because it has a smooth or shiny surface. □ …a head of thick, lustrous, wavy brown hair.
lusty /lʌ sti/ (lustier , lustiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is lusty , you mean that it is healthy and full of strength and energy. □ …plants with large, lusty roots. □ …remembering his lusty singing in the open park. ● lusti|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Bob ate lustily.
lute /luː t/ (lutes ) N‑VAR A lute is a stringed instrument with a rounded body that is quite like a guitar and is played with the fingers.
luv /lʌ v/ N‑COUNT Luv is a written form of the word 'love', when it is being used as an informal way of addressing someone. [BRIT ] □ 'Don't worry, luv.'
luv|vie /lʌ vi/ (luvvies ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to actors as luvvies as a humorous way of criticizing their emotional behaviour and their feeling that they are important. [BRIT , HUMOROUS , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
luxu|ri|ant /lʌgʒʊə riənt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Luxuriant plants, trees, and gardens are large, healthy, and growing well. □ …large oak trees with wide spreading branches and luxuriant foliage.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's hair as luxuriant , you mean that it is very thick and healthy. □ Hair that's thick and luxuriant needs regular trimming.
luxu|ri|ate /lʌgʒʊə rie I t/ (luxuriates , luxuriating , luxuriated ) VERB If you luxuriate in something, you relax in it and enjoy it very much, especially because you find it comfortable and luxurious. □ [V + in ] Lie back and luxuriate in the scented oil. □ [V + in ] Ralph was luxuriating in the first real holiday he'd had in years.