noun

anhedonia

an-hee-DOH-nee-uh

Anhedonia (noun) means the inability to feel pleasure in things that would normally be enjoyable — a common symptom of depression and some other conditions. Example: “Anhedonia had taken the pleasure out of everything he used to love.”

noun

The inability to feel pleasure in things that would normally be enjoyable — a common symptom of depression and some other conditions.

"Anhedonia had taken the pleasure out of everything he used to love."

How to use anhedonia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot being able to enjoy things you normally would.

Memory tip

Greek an- (without) + hedone (pleasure): the opposite of hedonism.

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_____ had taken the pleasure out of everything he used to love.

Etymology

From Greek "an-" (without) plus "hēdonē" (pleasure) — the same root as hedonism.

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for anhedonia

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

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Frequently asked questions

What is anhedonia?

Losing the ability to take pleasure in things you normally enjoy — food, music, company, hobbies. It is a recognised symptom of depression rather than a diagnosis in itself.

Is anhedonia the same as sadness?

No. Sadness is a feeling that is present. Anhedonia is the absence of a feeling — an inability to feel pleasure at all, which people often describe as flatness or numbness rather than unhappiness.

What is the meaning of anhedonia?

"anhedonia" (noun) means the inability to feel pleasure in things that would normally be enjoyable — a common symptom of depression and some other conditions.

How do you use anhedonia in a sentence?

Example: "Anhedonia had taken the pleasure out of everything he used to love."