Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Devoted to refined and luxurious sensuous pleasure, especially that derived from fine food and drink: Describes a person, lifestyle, or attitude that cultivates and enjoys sophisticated, often luxurious, sensory pleasures.
   • Relating to the philosophy of Epicurus or Epicureanism: Pertaining to the ancient Greek school of thought founded by Epicurus, which emphasized the pursuit of pleasure (particularly the absence of pain and mental disturbance) as the highest good.

2. Noun:

   • A person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially that of fine food and drink: Someone who cultivates a discriminating taste for high-quality, luxurious pleasures, particularly gastronomic ones.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • They led an epicurean lifestyle, traveling the world to dine at the finest restaurants.
  • The banquet was an epicurean delight, featuring rare truffles and vintage wines.
  • His epicurean philosophy was more about savoring simple, high-quality ingredients than about excess.

• Noun:

  • As a true epicurean, she could distinguish between dozens of olive oil varieties by taste alone.
  • The club was a haven for epicureans who appreciated rare cheeses and aged spirits.

Advanced Usage

• Philosophical Context: In its original philosophical sense, "Epicurean" (often capitalized) refers specifically to the teachings of Epicurus, which advocated for a life of modest, tranquil pleasure achieved through knowledge, friendship, and the avoidance of pain, a nuance sometimes contrasted with the modern connotation of indulgence.
  • The poet's work reflects a deeply Epicurean search for ataraxia, or peace of mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Epicure (n): A person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink. This is a close synonym for the noun form of "epicurean."
• Epicureanism (n): The philosophical system of Epicurus or the lifestyle associated with refined pleasure.
• Epicurely (adv, rare): In an epicurean manner.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Hedonistic, sybaritic, luxurious, sensual, pleasure-seeking, gourmet.
• Noun: Gourmet, gastronome, bon vivant, hedonist, sybarite.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Ascetic, austere, abstemious, Spartan.
• Noun: Ascetic, puritan.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Epicurean delight/feast/pleasure: A common collocation used to describe an experience of great sensory, especially gustatory, pleasure.
  • The chocolate tasting was an epicurean delight for the senses.
• To live an epicurean life: To live a life dedicated to the pursuit of refined pleasures.
  • After retiring, he dedicated himself to living an epicurean life in the countryside.

Adjective

1. displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
   • an epicurean banquet
   • enjoyed a luxurious suite with a crystal chandelier and thick oriental rugs
   • Lucullus spent the remainder of his days in voluptuous magnificence
   • a chinchilla robe of sybaritic lavishness
2. devoted to pleasure
   • a hedonic thrill
   • lives of unending hedonistic delight
   • epicurean pleasures
3. of Epicurus or epicureanism
   • Epicurean philosophy

Noun

1. a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)