Vocabulary in context
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Decadence
A decline in cultural and moral standards, often accompanied by excessive self-indulgence and luxury.
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Imagine This
Cadets at West Point are usually associated with high moral standards. Therefore, decadence is parting away from those high moral standards.
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Sounds Like
DEK-uh-dens
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Looks Like
looks like 'decadent' (similar spelling) and contains 'cadence'
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Remember This
Decadence comes from Latin decadere, meaning 'to fall down'; it often implies both moral decline and luxurious excess.
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Other Forms
Decadentadjective
Decadentlyadverb
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Connect With
decline, decay, deterioration, degeneration, corruption, excess
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Note
Do not confuse decadence with decadently (adverb) or decadent (adjective). Decadence refers to decline or self-indulgence, whereas decadent describes the quality of being indulgent or morally deteriorated.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The fall of the dynasty was marked by moral decadence and lavish excess.
- Critics argued that the novel depicts the decadence of a society obsessed with wealth and pleasure.
Synonyms
decaydeclinedeteriorationdegenerationimmorality
Antonyms
virtuemoral integritycivility
Etymology
From Latin decadere 'to fall down, sink', with de- (down) + cadere (to fall); the noun form emerges via French decadence.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: DE + CADENCE = away from the cadence. Decadence is moving away from the usual moral rhythm or pattern of a society.
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Exploit
verb (also noun)To make use of something, especially for gain or advantage; to use someone or something in an unethical or unfair way.
Obligation
nounA duty or commitment; something you are bound to do, whether by law, contract, or moral principle.
Seclude
verbTo keep someone or something apart from others; to withdraw into solitude or to hide away.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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