First Known Use: 1837
Dictionary
1decadent
adjective dec·a·dent \ˈde-kə-dənt also di-ˈkā-\
: having low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.
: attractive to people of low morals who are only interested in pleasure
: extremely pleasing
Full Definition of DECADENT
1
: marked by decay or decline
2
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the decadents
3
: characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence <decadent pleasures>
— dec·a·dent·ly adverb
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Origin of DECADENT
back-formation from decadence
Related to DECADENT
- Synonyms
- effete, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up
- Antonyms
- undecadent
2decadent
noun
Definition of DECADENT
1
: one of a group of late 19th century French and English writers tending toward artificial and unconventional subjects and subtilized style
2
: one that is decadent
First Known Use of DECADENT
1886
Related to DECADENT
- Synonyms
- backslider, debauchee, debaucher, degenerate, deviate, libertine, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rakehell, rip
- Antonyms
- ascetic
Other Literature Terms
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