decadent

1 of 2

adjective

dec·​a·​dent ˈde-kə-dənt 

 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.

Synonyms

Adjective

• decayed
• degenerate
• effete
• overripe
• washed-up

Noun

• backslider
• debauchee
• debaucher
• degenerate
• deviate
• libertine
• perv
• pervert
• profligate
• rake
• rakehell
• rip

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

Grab some hot java from Higher Land Coffee and match it with buttery pastries – the whole-wheat chocolate-chip cookies from Base Camp Bakery, maybe, or decadent cakes and mousses from the French-Moroccan patissier at La Noisette Sweets. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024

An air fryer is the ultimate healthy eating hack that still feels decadent. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024

Noun

Moist in the center, crispy-crackly on top and decadent, this classic, straightforward homemade brownie recipe requires just 15 minutes of active time. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 14 July 2024

This mammoth sundae is garnished with French fries and a crispy, juicy chicken wing, solving the culinary dilemma of craving savory after a decadent sweet. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2024

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