plush
plush
Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
The IPA phonetic spelling for plush is /plʌʃ/.
Since the word has only one syllable, the sounds are broken down as follows:
/p/: The 'p' sound as in pet.
/l/: The 'l' sound as in let.
/ʌ/: The 'uh' vowel sound as in cup or luck.
/ʃ/: The 'sh' sound as in ship or fish.
Word Form Variations
Noun (singular): plush
Noun (plural): plushes
Adjective: plush
Adjective (comparative): plusher
Adjective (superlative): plushest
Adverb: plushly
Noun (abstract): plushness
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition: Notably luxurious, expensive, and comfortable; suggesting wealth and opulence.
Synonyms: luxurious, lavish, sumptuous, opulent, rich, fancy, deluxe
Antonyms: sparse, basic, austere, spartan, plain, stark
Definition: Having a soft, thick, and deep pile or surface.
Synonyms: soft, velvety, fleecy, fuzzy, thick
Antonyms: coarse, rough, hard, abrasive, scratchy
Noun
Definition: A rich fabric, similar to velvet, but with a longer, softer, and less dense pile.
Synonyms: velvet, fleece, deep-pile fabric
Antonyms: canvas, burlap, linen
Definition (informal): A stuffed toy made from soft, fuzzy fabric; a plushie or stuffed animal.
Synonyms: plushie, stuffed animal, soft toy
Antonyms: action figure, doll (plastic), model
Examples of Use
In Newspapers and Online Publications
As an adjective (luxurious): In a hotel review, a travel writer might describe the accommodations as opulent: "Our plush suite was a blend of caramel furnishings... paired with a gleaming white marble bathroom complete with a deep bath and a large rain shower." (Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, September 2023)
As an adjective (luxurious): When reviewing a new car, a journalist might focus on the high-end features: "The Lincoln Nautilus combines style and performance, boasting a plush interior, a smooth ride, and an array of modern tech features."
As a noun (toy): An article discussing toy industry trends might use the word to describe stuffed animals: "The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung... wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere." (AP News, June 2024)
In Books
As an adjective (soft/luxurious): A novel might use the word to set a scene of comfort or wealth: "His cello must have sounded magnificent in this elegant space with its plush red seats and curtain." (Aldo Parisot, The Cellist)
As an adjective (soft/luxurious): A children's book might use it to describe a cozy setting: "Lisa may be sitting in the plush red seats enjoying the show, but the real production is backstage, which readers experience through Corduroy's eyes." (Corduroy Takes a Bow)
In Entertainment
As a noun (toy): In the video game Five Nights at Freddy's, collectible stuffed animals are a key element, referred to by the community and in merchandise as "FNAF plush toys."
As an adjective (luxurious): A movie reviewer might criticize a film's setting as being unrealistic: "Her latest film is the clunky 'Plush,' a psychological thriller set in the Los Angeles rock scene. It feels so inauthentic at every turn..." (RogerEbert.com, September 2013)
In General Public Discourse
As a noun (toy): On social media or in forums, a collector might post, "Just got the new limited edition Squishmallow plush! It's so soft."
As an adjective (luxurious): Someone describing a friend's new apartment might say, "You should see his new place. He's got this plush new sofa that must have cost a fortune."
As an adjective (soft): A person describing a new blanket or robe might say, "It's made of this really plush material that feels amazing."
10 Famous Quotes Using Plush
"It was plush, red, deep, and soft, and I blotted myself in it." (Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange)
"We slid out from the shadow of pastry bells and towers, under a sky spelled plush and expensive." (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale)
"I sink into the plush cushions of the Capitol train." (Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games)
"The inside of the limo was plush and white." (S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders)
"And I feel that time's a-wasting... We are merely investigating the plush upholstery." (Stone Temple Pilots, "Plush")
"This is a plush new home we're renting, and I'm not gonna have it destroyed by a bunch of hooligans." (Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction)
"She had a plush apartment, a fancy car, a closet full of designer clothes, but she was lonely." (Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl)
"We're squatting in a plush Chelsea flat." (Bruce Robinson, Withnail & I)
"I’m not a fan of plush carpets." (Helena Bonham Carter)
"He... rented a plush apartment, bought a car, and began to enjoy the life of a rich and fastidious bachelor." (Saul Bellow, The Adventures of Augie March)
Etymology
Here is a simple breakdown of where the word "plush" comes from.
The "Hairy" Fabric
The etymology of plush is very straightforward: it basically means "hairy."
The word's journey starts with the Latin word pilus, which simply means "hair." This is the same root word that gives us "pile" (like the pile of a carpet) and "depilatory" (a hair-removal cream).
The Path to English
Latin: It all begins with pilus ("hair").
French: This Latin word evolved into the Old French term peluche (or pluche). This word literally meant "shag" or "fluff" and was used to describe a specific new type of cloth.
English: English borrowed the word directly from French in the late 1500s (around the 1580s–1590s) as plush.
First Meaning vs. Modern Meaning
When plush first appeared in English, it was strictly a noun. It referred only to the name of the fabric itself—a cloth like velvet, but with a longer, softer pile (the "hairs" that stick up).
Because this fabric was expensive, soft, and used to make fancy furniture, curtains, and coats, the word's meaning expanded over time. By the 1920s, people started using plush as an adjective to describe anything that felt like that fabric: luxurious, opulent, rich, and extremely comfortable.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Plush
The word plush doesn't appear in many fixed idioms, as it's most often used as a literal adjective. However, it is a key part of many common descriptive phrases.
Here is a list of common phrases using "plush," supplemented with idioms that use its synonyms (like soft, velvet, or luxury) for a similar effect.
Phrases Using "Plush"
Plush toy / Plushie
Meaning: The most common use, referring to a stuffed animal or soft toy.
Plush carpet / Plush rug
Meaning: A carpet with a deep, dense, and soft pile.
Plush interior
Meaning: The inside of a car, plane, or boat that is outfitted with luxurious and soft materials.
Plush hotel / Plush apartment
Meaning: A very luxurious, expensive, and comfortable living space.
Plush red seats
Meaning: A common description for the seating in an old-fashioned, opulent theater or cinema.
A plush lifestyle
Meaning: A life filled with luxury, comfort, and expensive things.
Plush velvet
Meaning: A redundant but common phrase used to emphasize the extreme softness and thickness of a velvet fabric.
Plush robe
Meaning: A thick, soft bathrobe, often associated with luxury hotels.
Idioms with a Similar Meaning
These idioms don't use the word "plush" but convey a similar sense of softness, luxury, or comfort.
Soft as velvet / Velvety smooth
Meaning: Incredibly soft and smooth to the touch.
In the lap of luxury
Meaning: To live in a state of great comfort and wealth, surrounded by "plush" things.
(To have) a soft life
Meaning: To have a life of ease and comfort, without hardship.
(Like) a kid in a candy store
Meaning: To be extremely happy and excited by being surrounded by an abundance of desirable things (which could be a plush hotel or a store full of plush toys).
Lined with velvet
Meaning: A descriptive phrase for something that is soft and luxurious on the inside, like a jewelry box.
An iron fist in a velvet glove
Meaning: A "soft" or "plush" exterior that hides a strong or unyielding nature.
1Screen reader support enabled.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of plush from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
