Lush vs. Plush — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
"Lush" describes rich, abundant growth or luxuriousness, often in nature, while "plush" refers to a material that is soft, thick, and luxurious, often used in fabrics.
Difference Between Lush and Plush
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Lush" characterizes environments or vegetation that are dense and thriving, such as lush green forests or gardens. This term implies richness and abundance in natural settings. On the other hand, "plush" describes a quality of fabric that is notably soft, thick, and sumptuously comfortable, typically used in upholstery, clothing, or soft toys.
While "lush" is primarily used to describe natural landscapes or conditions that are excessively verdant and fertile, "plush" is used for materials that provide a tactile experience of luxury and comfort. Lush environments often evoke a sense of wild, natural beauty, whereas plush materials are associated with human-made comfort and opulence.
"Lush" can also metaphorically describe anything that is richly filled or endowed with a particular quality, like lush orchestration in a musical composition. In contrast, "plush" might be used metaphorically to describe anything that is exceptionally luxurious or opulent, such as a plush lifestyle, but it still retains a strong association with physical textures.
The development of something being described as "lush" involves natural processes, requiring fertile soil, adequate water, and favorable weather conditions. Meanwhile, plush materials are manufactured through processes designed to achieve the highest levels of softness and comfort, involving specific material choices like velvet or soft yarns.
In terms of usage in language, "lush" often carries a connotation of vitality and health, emphasizing nature’s bounty. Conversely, "plush" conveys a sense of indulgence and comfort, focusing more on the sensory pleasures and luxury.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Rich, abundant growth; luxuriousness in nature
Soft, thick, luxurious fabric or material
Usage Context
Natural settings, descriptions of abundance
Textiles, descriptions of texture and comfort
Connotative Meaning
Natural vitality and health
Indulgence, luxury, and comfort
Development Process
Natural growth, environmental factors
Manufactured, specific material choices
Example of Application
Describing forests, gardens, music
Describing furniture, toys, fabric quality
Compare with Definitions
Lush
Rich in vegetation, highly fertile.
The lush valley supports an array of wildlife.
Plush
A soft fabric, often used for luxury items.
The plush sofa was everyone's favorite seat in the house.
Lush
Luxurious and opulent.
The hotel's lush interiors included deep carpets and rich tapestries.
Plush
Thick, soft, and luxurious material.
His new coat was made from the finest plush.
Lush
Abundant, profuse.
The lush sounds of the orchestra filled the hall.
Plush
Indicative of richness and comfort.
The plush carpet made the room look more inviting.
Lush
Full and rich in quality.
He admired the lush landscape of the rural countryside.
Plush
Sumptuously furnished or decorated.
The plush office boasted expansive views and high-end décor.
Lush
Thickly grown or densely packed.
The backyard was lush with flowers and shrubs.
Plush
Luxuriously soft and rich.
She wrapped herself in a plush blanket to stay warm.
Lush
Having or characterized by luxuriant vegetation
A lush valley.
Plush
Plush (from French peluche) is a textile having a cut nap or pile the same as fustian or velvet. Its softness of feel gave rise to the adjective "plush" to describe something soft or luxurious, which was extended to describe luxury accommodation, or something rich and full.Originally the pile of plush consisted of mohair or worsted yarn, but now silk by itself or with a cotton backing is used for plush, the distinction from velvet being found in the longer and less dense pile of plush.
Lush
Abundant; plentiful.
Plush
A rich fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or a combination of these, with a long, soft nap
Plush upholstery
Lush
Extravagant or luxurious, as in ornamentation
The lush decor of a grand hotel.
Plush
Richly luxurious and expensive
A plush Mayfair flat
Lush
Extremely pleasing to the senses
A lush scent.
Lush fruit.
The lush sounds of an orchestra.
Plush
A fabric of silk, rayon, cotton, or other material, having a thick deep pile.
Lush
Voluptuous or sensual
"[His]eyes swept over her lush young body until she was all the way out the door" (Clark Howard).
Plush
Made of or covered with plush.
Lush
A drunkard.
Plush
Luxurious.
Lush
To cause to get drunk.
Plush
(UK) Very extravagant.
Lush
Juicy, succulent.
Plush
(UK) Very expensive, or appearing expensive; opulent, luxurious.
They lived in a plush apartment complex.
Lush
(dialectal) Mellow; soft; (of ground or soil) easily turned; fertile.
Plush
Having a soft, fluffy exterior.
This plush toy is so cute and soft - I want it!
Lush
(of vegetation) Dense, teeming with life; luxuriant.
Plush
A textile fabric with a nap or shag on one side, longer and softer than the nap of velvet.
Lush
(of food) Savoury, delicious.
That meal was lush! We have to go to that restaurant again sometime!
Plush
A plush toy.
Lush
Thriving; rife; sumptuous.
Plush
A textile fabric with a nap or shag on one side, longer and softer than the nap of velvet.
Lush
Beautiful, sexy.
Boys with long hair are lush!
Plush
A fabric with a nap that is longer and softer than velvet
Lush
Amazing, cool, fantastic, wicked.
Your voice is lush, Lucy! I could listen to it all day!
Plush
Characterized by extravagance and profusion;
A lavish buffet
A lucullan feast
Lush
(obsolete) Lax; slack; limp; flexible.
Lush
A drunkard, sot, alcoholic.
Lush
(slang) Intoxicating liquor.
Lush
A person who enjoys talking about themselves.
Am I humble or am I a lush?
Lush
(ambitransitive) To drink (liquor) to excess.
Lush
Full of juice or succulence.
How lush and lusty the grass looks! how green!
Lush
Having thick and luxurient vegetation.
Lush
Characterized by abundance or luxurience; rich.
Lush
Liquor, esp. intoxicating liquor; drink.
Lush
An habitual drunkard.
Lush
A person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
Lush
Produced or growing in extreme abundance;
Their riotous blooming
Lush
Characterized by extravagance and profusion;
A lavish buffet
A lucullan feast
Lush
Full of juice;
Lush fruits
Succulent roast beef
Succulent plants with thick fleshy leaves
Common Curiosities
What types of materials are considered plush?
Materials like velvet, soft wool, and certain synthetics are considered plush.
Can landscapes be described as plush?
Typically, landscapes are described as lush rather than plush, which is reserved for textures.
What kind of music might be described as lush?
Orchestral or symphonic music with rich, layered arrangements can be described as lush.
How do you use lush in a sentence?
"The garden was lush with a variety of colorful flowers and plants."
Is plush always related to fabrics?
While commonly associated with fabrics, plush can also describe any soft, luxurious surface or lifestyle.
Are there plush toys that are not soft?
Plush toys are by definition soft; toys not soft would not be categorized as plush.
What does lush mean in a description?
Lush describes something that is densely and richly verdant or luxurious.
What is the difference between lush and luxurious?
"Lush" specifically denotes rich growth or abundance, often in nature, while "luxurious" is broader, implying great comfort or elegance in various contexts.
Can a movie or book be described as plush?
Typically, these would not be described as plush unless emphasizing sensory descriptions within them.
Is lush a positive descriptor?
Yes, "lush" generally has positive connotations, implying health and abundance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
