luxury

Where does the word "luxury" come from? It comes from Latin luxuria, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Luxury’s story begins in Latin: luxuria meant “excess, lust.” From 'luxus', excess. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as luxurie. One of the deadly sins. It reached English by 1300s as luxury. The sense 'costly comfort' dates from the 1600s. Today, luxury means great comfort at great expense.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient luxuria "excess, lust", from 'luxus', excess.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval luxurie "lust", one of the deadly sins.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s luxury "lust", the sense 'costly comfort' dates from the 1600s.