decadent

[ dek-uh-duhnt, dih-keyd-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.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdecadently, adverb

Other Words From

• dec·a·dent·ly [dek, -, uh, -d, uh, nt-lee, dih-, keyd, -nt-], adverb
• non·deca·dent adjective noun
• over·deca·dent adjective
• over·deca·dent·ly adverb
• semi·deca·dent adjective
• semi·deca·dent·ly adverb
• undeca·dent adjective
• undeca·dent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of decadent¹

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

Example Sentences

Epicurus was a typical décadent: I was the first to recognize him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depraved
• immoral