na-adjective, noun
charming; fascinating; voluptuous
Describes a person, especially a woman, who has an alluring, sensual charm. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
彼女は艶な魅力を持っている。
She has a voluptuous charm.
その女優の艶な演技に観客は魅了された。
The audience was captivated by the actress's fascinating performance.
色っぽい is a more common, everyday word for 'sexy' or 'sensual', while 艶 is more literary and emphasizes an elegant, alluring charm.
魅力的 is a general term for 'attractive' or 'charming', without the specific sensual nuance of 艶.
The kanji 艶 originally relates to luster and gloss, and by extension came to describe an attractive, charming quality. The exact historical derivation of this reading and sense is uncertain.