hedonism

American  

[heed-n-iz-uhm] / ˈhid nˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good.

2. devotion to pleasure as a way of life.

   The later Roman emperors were notorious for their hedonism.

   Synonyms:

   carousal, dissipation, debauchery, libertinism, sensualism

   Antonyms:

   self-denial, abstemious, asceticism, puritanism

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hedonism British  

/ ˈhɛd-, ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. ethics

   1. the doctrine that moral value can be defined in terms of pleasure See utilitarianism

   2. the doctrine that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good

2. the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of principle

3. indulgence in sensual pleasures

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hedonism Cultural  

1. In ethics, the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good in life. Some hedonists, such as the Epicureans, have insisted that pleasure of the entire mind, not just pleasure of the senses, is this highest good.

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Other Word Forms

• hedonic adjective
• hedonist noun

Etymology

Origin of hedonism

First recorded in 1855–60; from Greek hēdonḗ “pleasure, enjoyment” + -ism

Example Sentences

Beachler: The first sketches of the juke joint I drew were red, representing capitalism, hedonism, all the things we are under the cover of the dark.

From Los Angeles Times

But Mr. Parker’s incorporation of clubby rhythms suggests neither mind-expansion nor hedonism but rather mathematical precision.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it's a carefully crafted and nuanced record, where hedonism gives way to vulnerability, as she describes the doubts she has over friendships, motherhood and commercial success.

From BBC

Dyer says looking back is "awful" and that his days of "hedonism" and "mad behaviour" are over.

From BBC

On first glance, it’s all about hedonism - sweaty dancefloors, decadent parties, bad behaviour and “looking like an icon”.

From BBC