adjective
hedonistic
hee-duh-NIS-tik
Hedonistic (adjective) means Devoted to seeking pleasure and enjoyment, often to the point of self-indulgence. Example: “He spent a hedonistic decade in Ibiza before settling down.”
adjective
1
Devoted to seeking pleasure and enjoyment, often to the point of self-indulgence.
"He spent a hedonistic decade in Ibiza before settling down."
"The novel paints a hedonistic picture of 1920s Berlin."
2
formal Relating to hedonism, the philosophical position that pleasure is the highest good.
"Mill defended a hedonistic account of value while distinguishing higher pleasures from lower ones."
How to use hedonistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAll about chasing a good time.
When to use it
Slightly formal; frequent in journalism and reviews.
Memory tip
Hedonist is the person, hedonism the belief, hedonistic the description.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hedonistic lifestyle
hedonistic pleasure
purely hedonistic
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He spent a _____ decade in Ibiza before settling down.
Etymology
From Greek hedone 'pleasure', via hedonism.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hedonistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
linguistic
futuristic
optimistic
See all rhymes for hedonistic →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hedonistic and epicurean?
Hedonistic suggests chasing pleasure hard and often to excess. Epicurean, though it comes from a philosophy of pleasure, now implies refined and moderate enjoyment, especially of food and wine. Calling a meal epicurean is a compliment; calling a lifestyle hedonistic rarely is.
Is hedonistic an insult?
It is usually mildly disapproving, implying someone puts their own enjoyment above duty or health. Used of a holiday or a weekend it is often affectionate and even envious.
What is hedonism in philosophy?
The view that pleasure and the absence of pain are the only things good in themselves. Ethical hedonists such as the utilitarians argued that the right action is the one that produces the most pleasure overall.
What is the meaning of hedonistic?
"hedonistic" (adjective) means devoted to seeking pleasure and enjoyment, often to the point of self-indulgence.
