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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
Synonyms

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an epicure; gourmet

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Epicurean 2 British  
/ ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the philosophy of Epicurus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a follower of the philosophy of Epicurus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing epicurean

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To the devastation of epicureans everywhere, the magazine was discontinued in 2009.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2022

But that logic simply didn’t hold with Jeff’s extended family, a hardy group of adventurers and epicureans.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2022

Gill, Nash and O’Toole – despite doubts about their musical input – were similarly essential, lad archetypes to offset the band’s arty epicureans.

From The Guardian • Aug. 28, 2014

Whereas the gourmands of yesteryear valued refined French preparations and more recent epicureans exalted heirloom produce and pampered livestock, today’s cutting-edge foodies have realized that they must set ever narrower standards for their exclusive club.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2013

We now return to Saint-Mande, where the superintendent was in the habit of receiving his select confederacy of epicureans.

From Louise de la Valliere by Dumas père, Alexandre

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