decadence

Also dec·a·den·cy

[dek-uh-duhns, dih-keyd-ns]

noun

1. the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay.

   Some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence.

   Synonyms: decline, retrogression, degeneration

2. moral degeneration or decay; turpitude.

3. unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.

4. (often initial capital letter),  the decadent movement in literature.

decadence

/ ˈdɛkədəns /

noun

1. deterioration, esp of morality or culture; decay; degeneration

2. the state reached through such a process

Other Word Forms

• nondecadence noun
• nondecadency noun
• overdecadence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decadence¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, from Late Latin dēcadent-, stem of dēcadēns “falling away” (present participle of dēcadere “to fall away,” from de- de- + cad(ere) “to fall”) + -ia -y ³ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of decadence¹

C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see _decay

Example Sentences

Perhaps as a rebellion against her partner’s darkness and decadence, Birkin developed a personal style that exuded lightness, naturalness and relatable elegance.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Cooper is very much alive and enjoying a modest and well-deserved decadence.

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TJ’s Tiniest Chocolate Chip Cookies may be “tiny,” but they certainly don’t skimp on decadence and chocolate chips.

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It featured 650 works confiscated from German museums and judged by a panel to represent "decadence," "weakness of character," "mental disease," "racial impurity" and other hallmarks of Weimar-era modernity.

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“It was such a period of decadence and grandeur, and Beverly Hills was kind of the poster child for that,” says production designer Matthew Flood Ferguson.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does decadence mean?

Decadence is a state of deterioration or decay, especially due to being excessively morally corrupt or self-indulgent.The adjective form of decadence is decadent, which is used to describe things in such a state, especially societies or behavior.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. The word decadence can refer to the extreme richness or luxury of such things.When capitalized, the word Decadence has a much more specific meaning. It refers to a movement 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. Such writers are called Decadents and include French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Irish writer Oscar Wilde.Example: Historians have traditionally depicted the late Roman Empire as having been brought down in part by its decadence, but others have debated whether supposed corruption of morals actually contributed to its fall.a