decadent

adjective dec·a·dent \ ˈde-kə-dənt also di-ˈkā- \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Examples: decadent in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of decadent

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 ²decadent 1)

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decadently

adverb

See decadent defined for English-language learners

Examples of decadent in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of decadent from the Web

The agenda targets the Met Gala — specifically the most decadent Cartier necklace ever created, worn by the actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) during fashion’s biggest night.

— alex abad-santos, Vox, "Ocean’s 8 isn’t a great movie, but it’s a perfect summer movie.," 6 June 2018
Abe, who reportedly does not wear shoes to work, handled the slip-up gracefully, which came after an otherwise decadent meal by Segev.

— hannah wiley, USA TODAY, "Israeli chef serves Japanese prime minister dessert in a shoe, and it does not go over well," 8 May 2018
Save room for the decadent carrot cake with warm caramel rum sauce.

— roger naylor, azcentral, "Arizona's best Mexican restaurants: Tacos and more from Flagstaff to Tucson to Yuma," 1 May 2018
Chocolate Cherry This recipe from Katalyst Health pits (ha!) two delicious foods in one bowl for a hearty yet decadent morning meal.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "13 Overnight Oats Recipes to Meal Prep Like a Pinterest Pro," 23 Mar. 2018
The decadent cakes and tortes once made for the royals, are proudly displayed and served in most cafes.

— kari costas, ELLE Decor, "The Suite Life: Contemporary Style Meets Old World Charm At The Grand Ferdinand Hotel," 20 Mar. 2018
And there will still be someone who feels a need to leave a comment saying that the sackcloth is decadent.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Stop Shaming Women for Spending Money," 8 Feb. 2018
Today the experience at the Mayfair hotel is consistently decadent.

— sarah bray, Town & Country, "The Fanciest London Hotels for Afternoon Tea," 6 Dec. 2017
College friends and co-workers Alice and Charlotte—a career-best Chloë Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale, respectively—go so far as to hire a cab from a block away for the sake of appearing decadent.

— k. austin collins, HWD, "Why We Still Love The Last Days of Disco," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decadent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of decadent

back-formation from decadence

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1837

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

decadent Synonyms

decadent

noun

Definition of decadent

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 ¹decadent 2)

Examples of decadent in a Sentence

avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents
a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune

Recent Examples of decadent from the Web

New York has some significance for Saint Laurent — Yves threw a grand party here in the ’70s for Opium — and the city’s decadents of that era, from Lou Reed to the Studio 54 crowd, inspired Mr. Vaccarello’s new collection.

— matthew schneier, New York Times, "If He Can Make It Here, He’ll Make It Anywhere," 7 June 2018
Wear a shiny solid one under your louchest suit (with or without a silk tie) or slip into a decadent, loose-fitting patterned one with, well, anything.

— the editors of gq style, GQ, "Why the Silk Shirt Should Be Your Go-To Summer Style Move," 5 June 2018
Special for this year is a new array of decadent dipped berries with chocolate chips and pink shimmer sugar.

— jennifer jolly, USA TODAY, "Give moms what they want more of this Mother's Day with these life hacks," 7 May 2018
Insider tip: The mac-nut cinnamon roll, dripping with icing ($5.25) is a decadent must for sweetaholics.

— rosemary mcclure, latimes.com, "In Kauai, where to eat for cheap: 20 places to chow down for $20," 15 Apr. 2018
So eat your feelings with La Tur, a decadent, almost molten cheese that takes care of you and makes any bad day go away.

— alyse whitney, Bon Appetit, "10 Valentine’s Day Pairings for Cheeses and Cheesy Rom-Coms," 12 Feb. 2018
Go for a Swim Jumping in a pool or a swimming hole during the rain simply feels decadent, like being in an outdoor spa.

— sami emory, Outside Online, "Embrace the Rain," 27 Mar. 2018
Food specialties: Georgacopoulos said besides being known for the complimentary doughnuts, Juicy-O takes pride in their pancakes (classic buttermilk or decadent like the maple bacon bourbon) and savory dishes.

— jane donahue, Naperville Sun, "Treat yourself to Juicy-O, including free doughnuts," 13 Mar. 2018
All four beers were worth the trip to Rocklin, especially the decadent yet drinkable imperial stouts, although Gallanosa is also considered a master of IPAs.

— daniel barnes, sacbee, "One of San Diego's best brewers has moved to Sacramento. Here's why | The Sacramento Bee," 2 Mar. 2018