decadent

American  

[dek-uh-duhnt, dih-keyd-nt] / ˈdɛk ə dənt, dɪˈkeɪd nt /

adjective

1. characterized by decadence, especially culturally or morally.

   a decadent life of excessive money and no sense of responsibility.

   Synonyms:

   self-indulgent, debauched, degenerate, immoral, corrupt

2. (often initial capital letter) of or like the decadents.

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noun

1. a person who is decadent.

2. (often initial capital letter) one of a group of French and English writers of the latter part of the 19th century whose works were characterized by aestheticism, great refinement or subtlety of style, and a marked tendency toward the artificial and abnormal in content.

decadent British  

/ ˈdɛkədənt /

adjective

1. characterized by decay or decline, as in being self-indulgent or morally corrupt

2. belonging to a period of decline in artistic standards

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noun

1. a decadent person

2. (often capital) one of a group of French and English writers of the late 19th century whose works were characterized by refinement of style and a tendency towards the artificial and abnormal

Usage

What does decadent mean? Decadent is used to describe things, such as a society or era, that are thought to be in a state of deterioration or decay, especially due to being excessively morally corrupt or self-indulgent. The state of being decadent is decadence. Decadent is also popularly used in a somewhat figurative way to describe things that are extremely indulgent, especially rich foods, as in That triple chocolate cake is so decadent that I think I can only finish half a piece. When capitalized, the word Decadent has a much more specific meaning. It refers to members of the group of French and English writers in the second half of the 1800s whose works were known for their refined and subtle style and sometimes abnormal content. Writers considered Decadents include French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Irish writer Oscar Wilde. Example: Historians have traditionally depicted the late Roman Empire as a decadent society, but others have debated whether supposed corruption of morals actually contributed to its fall.

Other Word Forms

• nondecadent
  adjective
• overdecadent
  adjective
• semidecadent
  adjective
• undecadent
  adjective
• decadently
  adverb
• overdecadently
  adverb
• semidecadently
  adverb
• undecadently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of decadent

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from decadence; see -ent

Explanation

If your friend vacations in lavish hotels, wears thousand-dollar shoes, and refuses to eat cheese that costs less than $20 an ounce, you might say her lifestyle is decadent. A decadent is a person who has fallen into a state of moral or artistic decay. Typically, though, we use decadent as an adjective to describe wasteful indulgence or extravagance. Celebrities who find themselves unable to manage sudden fame and fortune sometimes go overboard, throwing million-dollar parties, living the fast life, turning to drugs and alcohol. And because they're famous, we read about them and their decadent lifestyles in the tabloid papers.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decadent

Some Ohioans were adamant that I try their state’s Johnny dish, the Johnny Marzetti, a decadent casserole with ground beef, sausage, pasta, tomato sauce and cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

At 43, Laferte’s vocal cords have reached a decadent peak — angry and ragged, deliciously wounded.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

A place outsiders might dismiss as decadent was also where money was raised, grief was gathered and a frightened community turned nightlife into a lifeline.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

Chinese companies also are making gains in other decadent foods such as caviar and truffles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Just to have that thirty minutes of solitude during the drive—it was decadent but essential.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• depraved
• immoral