lush

Everyday

1. Lush plants or places are green, thick and growing well: «lush grass», «a lush rainforest». tree →
2. Lush can mean rich, comfortable and expensive-looking: «lush velvet curtains». tree →
3. (UK slang, especially Wales and the South West) Lush means lovely, great or delicious: «That cake was lush!»; it can also mean good-looking. tree →
4. (US, rude, informal) A lush is a person who drinks too much alcohol. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons «lush» describes rainforests, river valleys and wet green land where plants grow well because of rain and warmth. In descriptive writing it makes a scene feel rich and alive. In everyday UK talk, especially in Wales, «lush» is a common word of praise. The «drunk» meaning is unkind; pupils should know it but not use it about people.

Examples

• The rainforest was lush and green. tree →
• After the rain, the garden looked lush. tree →
• Cows grazed on the lush meadow. tree →
• «This pizza is lush!» said Rhys. tree →
• The hotel room had lush carpets and soft cushions. tree →
• The valley was lush, unlike the dry hills around it. tree →
• In the old film, a character was called a lush because he drank too much. tree →

Note

Comparative «lusher», superlative «lushest». The slang «lovely» meaning is friendly and informal — do not use it in a formal essay. The noun «a lush» (a heavy drinker) is rude. Do not confuse with «plush» (soft and fancy).