dissolute

[ dis-uh-loot ]

adjective

1. indifferent to moral restraints; given to immoral or improper conduct; licentious; dissipated.

   Synonyms: abandoned, wanton, debauched, loose, corrupt

dissolute

/ ˈdɪsəˌluːt /

adjective

1. given to dissipation; debauched

Derived Forms

• ˈdissoˌlutely, adverb
• ˈdissoˌluteness, noun

Other Words From

• disso·lutely adverb
• disso·luteness noun
• un·disso·lute adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolute¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin dissolūtus (past participle of dissolvere “to dissolve”); dis- ¹, solute

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolute¹

C14: from Latin dissolūtus loose, from dissolvere to dissolve

Example Sentences

De Bascher was the opposite, a dandy who enjoyed dissolute idleness with an elegant insouciance.

From New York Times

This is a grim continuum on which to exist, skating between the poles of high-achieving hustler and dissolute layabout.

From New York Times

And indeed it is: It’s an old episode of a Maury Povich-style daytime talk show, where younger, much more dissolute incarnations of the characters battle over the results of a paternity test.

From New York Times

The maximalist indictment, which includes all manner of gratuitous swipes at Biden’s dissolute conduct in the throes of drug addiction, comes after Republicans in Congress savagely attacked Weiss over the prospective plea deal.

From Los Angeles Times

Both are highly reminiscent of how bin Laden talked about Americans as a dissolute people who "have continued to sink down this abyss from level to level until incest has spread amongst you."

From Salon