decadence

American  

[dek-uh-duhns, dih-keyd-ns] / ˈdɛk ə dəns, dɪˈkeɪd ns /

Also decadency

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.

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decadence British  

/ ˈdɛkədəns /

noun

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

2. the state reached through such a process

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Usage

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

Other Word Forms

• nondecadence noun
• nondecadency noun
• overdecadence noun

Etymology

Origin of decadence

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. )

Explanation

Whether in reference to chocolate cake for breakfast or wild all-night parties, decadence means extravagance, luxury, and self-indulgence with a sense of moral decline. The Latin root of decadence means "to fall down," and this may help you understand the full sense of the word. Decadence is not simply a synonym for excess; it also suggests that one's morals have gone down. The word is usually negative but not always. When hostile critics called a group of French writers and artists in the late 1800s decadents, these poets and painters embraced the label. When a pastry chef calls her creation Chocolate Decadence, she is promoting a mildly guilty pleasure, not announcing the end of Western civilization.

Example Sentences

His brush with Broadway decadence during the Tony Awards hoopla for “English” opened his eyes to the disparities of the scene.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

As China liberalizes, some 5,000 miles away, the constraints relax and Ms. Chang sneaks off to enjoy a little Western decadence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

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

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2025

Critics praised the record's "sky-high ambition" and ""decadence and theatricality"", calling it "one of the strongest debuts in recent memory".

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2024

It suggested a whole life of marvelous, elaborate decadence that attracted me like a magnet.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath