adj

decadent

DEH-kuh-duhnt

adj

Showing moral or cultural decline through excessive indulgence.

"The film depicts the decadent final years of the royal court."

Luxuriously indulgent, in a pleasurable rather than critical sense.

"We treated ourselves to a decadent weekend at the spa."

"It's such a decadent chocolate cake."

How to Use Decadent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "in moral decline through excess" or, more commonly today, "wonderfully indulgent."

Common pairings

decadent dessert decadent lifestyle

more decadent comparative, decadents plural, most decadent superlative

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The film depicts the _____ final years of the royal court.

From French décadent, related to décadence — ultimately from Latin dē- ("down") + cadere ("to fall").