ENGLISH
REFERENCE

decadent

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdɛkədənt// UK //dˈɛkədənt// deca·dent

adj. describing something that is very high quality and gives a lot of pleasure, often in a way that feels a bit too much or slightly wrong. You use it for rich food or expensive lifestyles.

adj. characterised by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline, often through excessive indulgence in luxury or pleasure. Frequently used in modern contexts to describe rich, indulgent foods.


SIMPLE

We shared a decadent chocolate cake for dessert.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel suite was truly decadent, featuring gold-plated fixtures and a private spa overlooking the city.

COMPLEX

Historians often debate whether the decadent lifestyle of the ruling elite directly precipitated the empire's eventual collapse or was merely a symptom of deeper systemic issues.

Synonyms
Origin

From French décadent, a back-formation from décadence (see -ent), from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, from Late Latin dēcadēns, present participle of dēcadō, dēcidō (“sink, fall; perish”), from Latin dē- + cadō (“fall”).

Usage

Often used as a predicative adjective after 'feel' or 'seem', or attributively before nouns like 'dessert', 'lifestyle', or 'luxury'.

© 2026 English Reference