Etymology Map
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Luxury

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means great comfort at great expense

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

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

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.