decadent
DEK-uh-duhnt
/ˈdekədənt/
Luxuriously self-indulgent or rich; historically, reflecting moral or artistic decline.
In modern food contexts, signifies extreme richness, high-end indulgence, and sensory pleasure.
The story behind the word. From Medieval Latin 'decadentia' (decay/decline), from 'decadere' ('de-' down + 'cadere' to fall). It described cultural decline before 20th-century food advertising adopted it to describe rich, sinful desserts.
Word relationships
- indulgent: 'Indulgent' means gratifying desires, while 'decadent' emphasizes extreme richness and luxurious excess.
- austere: 'Austere' means severe, plain, and devoid of luxury or excess.
Commonly confused with
- decayed: 'Decayed' means decomposed or rotten, whereas 'decadent' describes luxurious, rich self-indulgence.
Word family
- decadence (noun): Luxurious self-indulgence or state of moral decline.
Collocations
- decadent dessert
- decadent flavor
- rich and decadent
- purely decadent
Example sentences
- "They indulged in a decadent chocolate cake layered with rich dark ganache and fresh berries." Menu Description
Memory hook
DECADENT desserts are so rich they feel like DECAYING self-control. Sinfully Rich = Decadent
When not to use
Do not use for simple, low-calorie, austere, or healthy minimalist meals.
Fun facts
- The shift of 'decadent' from a negative moral insult to a positive compliment for chocolate happened in American culinary marketing during the 1970s.
Related words
Explore more words
decadence, degenerate, epicurean, delectable, sumptuous, opulent
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