# decadent

/ˈdɛkədənt/ (US) · /dˈɛkədənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decadent
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. luxuriously self-indulgent

adjective · CEFR B2

extremely rich, delicious, or fancy in a way that feels like a guilty pleasure.

For teachers: characterised by or reflecting a state of luxurious self-indulgence. Often used in modern contexts to describe rich food or lifestyle choices.

- We enjoyed a decadent chocolate cake with three layers of rich cream.
- The hotel offered a decadent weekend package, complete with champagne breakfasts and private spa treatments overlooking the Mediterranean.

### 2. morally declining

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

having low moral standards or showing a lack of interest in serious things.

For teachers: characterised by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline. Often used in historical or sociological critiques of wealthy societies.

- Some historians believe the empire became decadent and weak before it finally fell.
- The critic argued that the city's decadent nightlife was a symptom of a deeper social collapse.

### 3. a person in decline

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

a person who lives a life of luxury and has low moral standards.

For teachers: a person who is considered to be in a state of moral or cultural decay. Frequently used in a historical context to refer to nineteenth-century artists and writers.

- The old king was seen as a decadent who cared only for his own comfort.
- The salon was a gathering place for the city's most famous decadents, who rejected traditional social values in favour of aesthetic pleasure.

## Examples

- We shared a decadent chocolate cake for dessert.
- The hotel suite was truly decadent, featuring gold-plated fixtures and a private spa overlooking the city.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.