Main Entry: he·do·nism

Pronunciation: \ˈhē-də-ˌni-zəm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek hēdonē pleasure; akin to Greek hēdys sweet — more at sweet

Date: 1856

1 : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
2 : a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism

— he·do·nist \-nist\ noun

— he·do·nis·tic \ˌhē-də-ˈnis-tik\ adjective

— he·do·nis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb