English Reference
Noun

decadence

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈdɛkədəns/ UK /dˈɛkədəns/ deca·dence

n.a state of extreme luxury and pleasure, often seen as a sign that a society or person is becoming weak or corrupt.

n.a state of extreme indulgence in luxury and pleasure, typically viewed as a sign of moral or social decay.


SIMPLE

The hotel was famous for its decadence and high prices.

CONTEXTUAL

The city's history is marked by a period of decadence where the elite spent vast sums on art and entertainment.

COMPLEX

Critics argued that the film's visual decadence masked a deeper narrative of systemic failure, suggesting that the characters' excesses were a symptom of a collapsing social order.

Is a ‘gastronomic society’ dinner the height of decadence, or an act of artistry?

Aeon· 17 Aug 2026

From French décadence, from Medieval Latin decadentia (“decay”), from decadens (“decaying”), present participle of decadere (“to decay”); see decay.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med decadentia
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated