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• epicurean
  epicurean

  adjective

  fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking.
• Epicurean
  Epicurean

  adjective

  of or relating to the philosophy of Epicurus

epicurean

American  

[ep-i-kyoo-ree-uhn, -kyoor-ee-] / ˌɛp ɪ kjʊˈri ən, -ˈkjʊər i- /

adjective

1. fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking.

2. fit for an epicure.

   epicurean delicacies.

   Synonyms:

   rich, deluxe, lavish, luxury, gourmet

   Antonyms:

   frugal, modest, plain, simple, austere

3. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of Epicurus or Epicureanism.

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noun

1. an epicure.

2. (initial capital letter) a disciple of Epicurus.

epicurean ¹ British  

/ ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən /

adjective

1. devoted to sensual pleasures, esp food and drink; hedonistic

2. suitable for an epicure

   an epicurean feast

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noun

1. an epicure; gourmet

Epicurean ² British  

/ ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the philosophy of Epicurus

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noun

1. a follower of the philosophy of Epicurus

Other Word Forms

• Epicureanism
  noun
• epicureanism
  noun
• nonepicurean
  adjective
• unepicurean
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of epicurean

1350–1400; Middle English Epicurien < Latin Epicūrē ( us ) of Epicurus (< Greek Epikoúreios ) + -an

Explanation

Used as a noun or adjective, epicurean refers to a devotion to pleasure or refined, sensuous enjoyment, especially of good food and drink. Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher this word was named after, taught his students that pleasure was a sign of the good, and pain a sign of evil. Thus the "good life" was one filled with pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Over the centuries, epicurean has come to refer to the pursuit of the finer things in life, and the word has a whole host of great synonyms, including luxurious, voluptuous, hedonistic, and, as a noun, bon vivant.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

epicurean Epicurean

As diets and dietary preferences have changed epicurean tastes, he has sought to give people new ways to think about and enjoy their food.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

“And tah-dah! Here we are: a stunning sage honey, aromatic and earthy, epicurean in its depth of flavor and elegant simplicity, inspired by the treats she enjoys at her home with her family.”

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 4, 2025

But look a bit closer, reading between the gobs of fleshy, rust-colored tail juice, and you’ll find that Ylfa’s exhilaration communicates much more than one person’s epicurean eccentricities.

From Salon ● Mar. 25, 2025

This fascinating collection of essays is part memoir, part cookbook and part epicurean treatise — and employs Nigerian cuisine as a framework for analyzing Nigerian society, culture and folklore.

From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024

I had, it is true, led a careless, somewhat epicurean life in the past, surrendering myself perhaps too readily to the charm of island life.

From A Modern Buccaneer by Rolf Boldrewood

Its subject was Greek Epicurean philosophy, which teaches that fulfilment can be found through the pleasure of everyday things.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2025

But that doesn't stop him from blatantly misunderstanding the Greek philosopher Epicurus in his nonsensical complaint about "Epicurean liberalism."

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2023

A few Latin works have been identified, but most of these contain Greek texts relating to the Epicurean school of philosophy.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 17, 2023

The term Epicurean often refers to individuals who take especial pleasure in food and drink, like a wine connoisseur or someone obsessed with Michelin star restaurants.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

Hill may not have lived to know it, but suddenly in 1610 Epicurean philosophy had become ‘something serious’.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton