decadent

1 of 2

adjective

dec·​a·​dent ˈde-kə-dənt How to pronounce decadent (audio)
 also  di-ˈkā-
1
: characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence
a rich and decadent dessert
the hotel's decadent luxury
2
: marked by decay or decline
an increasingly decadent society
3
literature : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a group of late 19th century French and English writers tending toward artificial and unconventional subjects and subtilized style : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the decadents (see decadent entry 2 sense 1)
decadently adverb

decadent

2 of 2

noun

1
literature : one of a group of late 19th century French and English writers tending toward artificial and unconventional subjects and subtilized style
2
: one that is marked by decay or decline : one that is decadent (see decadent entry 1 sense 2)

Did you know?

To be decadent is to be in the process of decay, so a powerful nation may be said to be in a decadent stage if its power is fading. But the word is more often used to speak of moral decay. Ever since the Roman empire, we've tended to link Rome's fall to the moral decay of its ruling class, who indulged in extreme luxuries and unwholesome pleasures while providing the public with cruel spectacles such as the slaughter of the gladiators. But not everyone agrees on what moral decadence looks like (or even how it might have hastened the fall of Rome), though most people think it involves too many sensual pleasures—as, for instance, among the French and English poets and artists of the 1880s and ʼ90s called the Decadents. These days, for some reason, people have decided decadent is the way to describe rich chocolate cakes.

Examples of decadent in a Sentence

Adjective The book condemns some of society's wealthiest members as decadent fools. a wealthy and decadent lifestyle a decadent hotel room, complete with a hot tub We relaxed in decadent luxury. Noun avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Earlier this year, the decadent treat went viral on social media after becoming a trendy treat at bakeries in Paris. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 What Is Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo sauce is a creamy, decadent pasta sauce that originated in Italy. Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 The European-style cafe serves decadent baked goods, including a striped pistachio croissant. Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 But the wedding festivities actually began last week in New Delhi at a decadent venue in Gujarat, a state in western India—and the exorbitant prices of all the fêting has sent shockwaves across the globe. Jane Thier, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 The decadent desserts were masterfully crafted by Chef Stefan Gerber. Jim Dobson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The decadent silver earrings and rings Benton wore were also by Briony Raymond. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 26 Feb. 2024 Yes, someone will bring a decadent dessert, another geared up to serve hot dogs with all the fixings. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Gatlin’s decadent barbecue and craveably sweet, balanced sauces were a welcome addition to Houston’s barbecue scene in 2010 when Mary and Henry Gatlin opened the barbecue spot in Houston Heights. Kayla Stewart, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024
Noun
Get The Recipe 09 of 10 Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake This decadent chocolate cheesecake is topped with a white chocolate snowflake garnish for a festive touch. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2024 The main bedroom, on the other side of the kitchen, is in a different register: decadent and moody. Max Berlinger, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 His conflict with the decadent Harkonnen scion Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler doing Darth Maul) tips into unfathomable debauchery. Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 Here’s a look at some of the most decadent and original Valentine’s Day packages on the market. Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024 Get The Recipe 20 of 25 Lemon Raspberry Cake Tart lemon and sweet raspberry are a refreshing way to finish off a decadent Valentine's Day meal. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2024 McDonald’s Is Bringing Back the Double Big Mac That Has a Whopping 4 Patties The cookie was our favorite, just as gooey and decadent as Subway’s cookies have always been. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024 Best Restaurants Botswana Butchery With a warm ambience and decadent menu, Botswana Butchery is a popular restaurant that's worth booking in advance. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2023 This decadent chocolate cake couldn't be easier to put together. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decadent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

back-formation from decadence

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decadent was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near decadent

Cite this Entry

“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decadent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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