epicure

noun

ep·​i·​cure ˈe-pi-ˌkyu̇r 

1

: one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine

2

archaic : one devoted to sensual pleasure : sybarite

Did you know?

The word epicure is currently associated with indulging the appetite, but that is a long way from the teachings of the man to whom we owe the word. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus taught a philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and a secluded life. He believed in the pursuit of pleasure, but pleasure for him comprised tranquility and freedom from pain—not the indulgence of the senses. Detractors of Epicurus in his own time and later, however, reduced his notions of pleasure to material and sensual gratification. When epicure entered English in the 16th century, it was synonymous with the modern term hedonist; later use carried the notion of refinement of palate that we see in the word today.

Did you know?

The word epicure is currently associated with indulging the appetite, but that is a long way from the teachings of the man to whom we owe the word. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus taught a philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and a secluded life. He believed in the pursuit of pleasure, but pleasure for him equated with tranquility and freedom from pain—not the indulgence of the senses. However, detractors of Epicurus in his own time and later reduced his notions of pleasure to material and sensual gratification. When epicure entered English in the 16th century, the philosophy of Epicurus had been trivialized, and so the word became synonymous with “hedonist.”

Synonyms

• bon vivant
• epicurean
• gastronome
• gastronomist
• gourmand
• gourmet

Choose the Right Synonym for epicure

epicure, gourmet, gourmand, gastronome mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking.

epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

Examples of epicure in a Sentence

Thomas Jefferson was one of America's first great epicures.

Recent Examples on the Web

Simic’s work is often described as surreal, darkly humorous, minimalist, the work of an impassioned epicure. —Rowan Ricardo Phillips, The New Republic, 13 Jan. 2023

Favorite cookbook?Book series by Rosanjin (Kitaoji Rosanjin, Japanese artist and epicure). —Science & Food, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2014

The flaneur was a familiar figure in nineteenth-century Paris: a solitary, quasi-artistic man (though not always) who strolled the streets like an urban epicure. —Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022

An epicure is particular about his pleasures; a snob is particular about everyone else’s pleasures, forever lecturing others about their tastes in music, clothes, restaurants, and their general modes of life. —Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 10 Mar. 2022

Visitors to downtown Napa can further embrace their inner epicure at the Oxbow Public Market, a food hall included by Times travel writer Christopher Reynolds on his list of the 40 best autumn experiences in California. —Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2022

The Portland, Maine, seafood epicure offers a wide assortment of caviars from around the world and outstanding collections like this Royal Osetra Tasting. —Megan Murphy, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2021

Picture a plateful of flounder leaping off the dish and chomping the epicure’s nose. —Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Nov. 2021

We’ve been subjected to the bottom of the barrel: cheap, salty, scratchy little things that any epicure would despise. —Ruth Reichl, Town & Country, 28 Feb. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Epicurus

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

epicure

noun

ep·​i·​cure ˈep-i-ˌkyu̇(ə)r 

: a person with carefully improved tastes in food or wine

epicurean

ˌep-i-kyu̇-ˈrē-ən

-ˈkyu̇r-ē-

adjective or noun

Etymology

named for Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher who believed pleasure to be the chief aim of life