Arcadian

American  

[ahr-key-dee-uhn] / ɑrˈkeɪ di ən /

adjective

1. of Arcadia.

2. (often lowercase) rural, rustic, or pastoral, especially suggesting simple, innocent contentment.

   They shared the desire to live off the land and lead a life of Arcadian bliss.

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noun

1. a native of Arcadia.

2. the dialect of ancient Greek spoken in Arcadia.

Arcadian British  

/ ɑːˈkeɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Arcadia or its inhabitants, esp the idealized Arcadia of pastoral poetry

2. rustic or bucolic

   a life of Arcadian simplicity

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noun

1. an inhabitant of Arcadia

2. a person who leads or prefers a quiet simple rural life

Other Word Forms

• Arcadianism noun
• Arcadianly adverb

Etymology

Origin of Arcadian

First recorded in 1580–90; Arcadi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

In John Knowles’s portrait of the boys’ Arcadian lives, World War II seems very far away.

From The Wall Street Journal

An important plot point in “Arcadian,” a domestic postapocalyptic drama bearing a close resemblance to “A Quiet Place,” revolves around medicine: people needing it, others hoarding it and so on.

From New York Times

Few things evoke as enchanting an Arcadian ideal — and as romantic a vision of the Italian old world — as the intense bond between truffle hunters and their dogs.

From New York Times

Those boneless fingers by her face serve multiple functions, implying her erudition in the Arcadian reference and her accustomed leisure in their languorous droop.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the reality, these emerging oil, railroad and publishing magnates saw an Arcadian paradise for the masses.

From Los Angeles Times