SENSUAL definition: pertaining to, inclined to, or preoccupied with the gratification of the senses or appetites; carnal; fleshly. See examples of sensual used in a sentence. Definition of sensual adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. expressing or suggesting physical, especially sexual, pleasure or satisfaction: 2. Someone or something that is sensual shows or suggests a great liking for physical pleasures. He was a very sensual person. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory: "Ye soft pipes, play on; / Not to the sensual ear, but more endear'd, / Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone" (John Keats). The words sensual and sensuous are often used interchangeably, but careful writers would do well to think before using one or the other. The terms share the root sens-, which means to arouse the senses. Sensual, sensuous, voluptuous refer to experience through the senses. Sensual refers, often unfavorably, to the enjoyments derived from the senses, esp. from the gratification or indulgence of physical … There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word sensual, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
