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

The Pollen-Isherwood story provides a lesson about the danger of decadence for the reigning hegemon in the face of a rising challenger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

"The opera, in structuring itself around America and Rome, invites a dialogue between those two societies that are often compared to each other in decadence and decay."

From Salon • Oct. 6, 2024

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

For the evening, soft suits and overcoats with shimmery surfaces and nearly sheer long knitwear over trousers gave a touch of decadence.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2024

I reluctantly lift my chocolate decadence to trade for his tiramisu.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson