/ ˈlʌkʃəri; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the enjoyment of special and expensive things, particularly food and drink, clothes and surroundings :
Now we'll be able to live in luxury for the rest of our lives.
to lead a life of luxury
a luxury hotel
luxury goods
2.
[ C ] a thing that is expensive and enjoyable but not essential
SYN extravagance :
small luxuries like chocolate and flowers
I love having a long, hot bath—it's one of life's little luxuries .
It was a luxury if you had a washing machine in those days.
3.
[ U , sing. ] a pleasure or an advantage that you do not often have
SYN indulgence :
We had the luxury of being able to choose from four good candidates for the job.
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IDIOMS
see lap noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting lechery): from Old French luxurie , luxure , from Latin luxuria , from luxus excess. The earliest current sense dates from the mid 17th cent.