decadent
/ˈdekədənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdekədənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-kə-dənt also di-ˈkā-/ (ame, mw)
decadent — adjective
- decadentpositive
- more decadentcomparative
- most decadentsuperlative
1. caring too much about pleasure, luxury, and easy living, in a way that seems mor
caring too much about pleasure, luxury, and easy living, in a way that seems morally weak or careless
The prince grew decadent, spending each night on gambling and drink.
grow decadent — change into a pleasure-seeking lifestyle
After years of easy money, the club became decadent and careless.
Gabriela called the court decadent when servants carried wine into every room.
The novel shows a decadent family wasting fortunes on parties and jewels.
Critics saw the city as decadent, more interested in luxury than duty.
- self-indulgent
focuses on giving yourself too much pleasure or comfort; often milder than 'decadent'
- hedonistic
stresses the search for pleasure itself; can sound more neutral or academic
- immoral
broader and stronger about moral wrongdoing, not specifically luxury or excess
- disciplined
showing control over desires and behaviour
- modest
simple and not attracted to luxury or show
- principled
guided by firm moral standards
文法句型
be decadent
grow / become decadent
see + someone / something + as decadent
用法筆記
Often used to criticize a person, group, or period for caring more about luxury and pleasure than duty or self-control. It can describe behaviour, a social class, or a whole culture, not just one action.
常見錯誤
decadent — noun
1. a person who cares too much about pleasure, comfort, and luxury, and is judged t
a person who cares too much about pleasure, comfort, and luxury, and is judged to have weak morals because of it
His uncle mocked the banker as a decadent who cared only for pleasure.
call / mock someone as a decadent
In the play, the aging decadent sleeps all day after long dinners.
Newspapers described the duke as a decadent living off inherited wealth.
Manuela refused to marry a decadent who treated work like a joke.
At the trial, the decadent laughed while poor farmers begged for help.
- hedonist
someone who actively seeks pleasure, with less built-in moral criticism
- libertine
more old-fashioned and strongly suggests sexual or moral looseness
- pleasure-seeker
plain descriptive term without the same formal literary tone
文法句型
call someone a decadent
describe someone as a decadent
a decadent who + clause
用法筆記
Usually a critical or literary label rather than an everyday description. It often refers to wealthy or idle people whose lives seem spoiled, empty, or morally careless.