decadent

[ dek-uh-duhnt, dih-keyd-nt ]

adjective

1. characterized by decadence, especially culturally or morally:

   a decadent life of excessive money and no sense of responsibility.

   Synonyms: self-indulgent, debauched, degenerate, immoral, corrupt

2. (often initial capital letter) of or like the decadents.

noun

1. a person who is decadent.
2. (often initial capital letter) one of a group of French and English writers of the latter part of the 19th century whose works were characterized by aestheticism, great refinement or subtlety of style, and a marked tendency toward the artificial and abnormal in content.

decadent

/ ˈdɛkədənt /

adjective

1. characterized by decay or decline, as in being self-indulgent or morally corrupt
2. belonging to a period of decline in artistic standards

noun

1. a decadent person
2. often capital one of a group of French and English writers of the late 19th century whose works were characterized by refinement of style and a tendency towards the artificial and abnormal

Derived Forms

• ˈdecadently, adverb

Other Words From

• dec·a·dent·ly [dek, -, uh, -d, uh, nt-lee, dih-, keyd, -nt-], adverb
• non·deca·dent adjective noun
• over·deca·dent adjective
• over·deca·dent·ly adverb
• semi·deca·dent adjective
• semi·deca·dent·ly adverb
• undeca·dent adjective
• undeca·dent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of decadent¹

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from decadence; -ent

Example Sentences

While the more than $10 per ounce price tag makes this steak beyond decadent, I’ve tested Holy Grail’s premium Wagyu and don’t doubt that this will be the best steak my father has ever eaten.

From Outside Online

Buttery and chewy, rich and decadent is how I describe this classic Philippine dessert.

From Washington Post

This Hanukkah, we will skip the decadent accoutrements, as they feel wrong against the backdrop of such a difficult year.

From Washington Post

Hip-hop and R&B stars like Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott and SWV singer Coko often wore decadent nails in their music videos.

From Ozy

With more control over your oil use, sprayers are not just a decadent tool—they can help you stick to a healthier diet, and make your food taste better.

From Popular-Science

The grandson of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, Nicholas Vreeland was poised for a decadent life in high-society.

From The Daily Beast

Since it could now survive travel over longer distances, lobster became a decadent treat for the American upper class.

From The Daily Beast

I remember going to a rehearsal dinner that had lobster tail on the buffet and thinking that was decadent.

From The Daily Beast

Decadent, venal, ineffective, stratified, anxiety-ridden, stumbling from one declared crisis to the next—who wants that?

From The Daily Beast

Amongst the characters performances are decadent costumes, over-the-top wigs, and too much leather, fur, and slinky cuts to count.

From The Daily Beast

He was that rare thing in a new land, a decadent, a connoisseur in vice, a lover of opiates and of liquor.

From Project Gutenberg

You must read your Latin authors well, for, since you must be decadent, it is better to decay from a good source.

From Project Gutenberg

We still seem to detect the influence of a decadent, late Magdalenian style of ornament.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he became a friend of Grard de Nerval, who was of such influence on the later decadent school.

From Project Gutenberg

This prince of the seventeenth century was the beau-ideal decadent that many modern novelists have delighted to depict.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depraved
• immoral

More About Decadent

What does decadent mean?

Decadent is used to describe things, such as a society or era, that are thought to be in a state of deterioration or decay, especially due to being excessively morally corrupt or self-indulgent.

The state of being decadent is decadence.

Decadent is also popularly used in a somewhat figurative way to describe things that are extremely indulgent, especially rich foods, as in That triple chocolate cake is so decadent that I think I can only finish half a piece.

When capitalized, the word Decadent has a much more specific meaning. It refers to members of the group of French and English writers in the second half of the 1800s whose works were known for their refined and subtle style and sometimes abnormal content. Writers considered Decadents include French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Irish writer Oscar Wilde.

Example: Historians have traditionally depicted the late Roman Empire as a decadent society, but others have debated whether supposed corruption of morals actually contributed to its fall.

Where does decadent come from?

The first records of the word decadent come from the 1800s. It’s a back formation from the noun decadence, meaning that decadence came first and was then made into the adjective decadent. The first records of the word decadence come from the mid-1500s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb dēcadere, meaning “to fall away.”

Describing a society as decadent is a way of criticizing it for having fallen away and deteriorated into a state thought to be inferior. The word especially implies the belief that people’s morals have decayed on a large scale and they are indulging in behaviors that were previously considered unacceptable.

When someone describes chocolate cake as decadent, they’re using the word in a figurative way that implies that it’s so rich and indulgent that it’s almost immoral—such desserts are often similarly described as sinful.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to decadent?

• decadently (adverb)
• decadence (noun)

What are some synonyms for decadent?

• depraved
• degenerate
• immoral
• wanton
• sinful

What are some words that share a root or word element with decadent? 

• decay

What are some words that often get used in discussing decadent?

• indulgent
• excess
• corrupt
• downfall
• rich
• sweet

How is decadent used in real life?

Decadent is perhaps most popularly used to describe rich desserts, especially chocolate ones. When it’s used to describe a society, it’s intended as a negative judgment.

Nothing says "weekend brunch" like a decadent Croque Madame. pic.twitter.com/Xq2XqhTJPd

— Tastemade (@tastemade) August 23, 2020

Caviar is one of the world’s most decadent offerings but what makes it so pricey?: https://t.co/wrVnqETmkU pic.twitter.com/ShbeS95gIi

— Departures Magazine (@DeparturesMag) August 23, 2020

You know you’re a privileged group within a decadent society when the greatest injustice you’ve faced is having to wear a mask indoors.

— Paysoninho (@paysoninho) May 21, 2020

 

 

Try using decadent!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of decadent?

A. pure
B. degenerate
C. depraved
D. immoral