hedonism
[ heed-n-iz-uhm ]
/ ˈhid nˌɪz əm /
noun
the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good.
devotion to pleasure as a way of life: The later Roman emperors were notorious for their hedonism.
Origin of hedonism
1855–60; < Greek
hēdon(ḗ) pleasure +
-ism
SYNONYMS FOR hedonism
ANTONYMS FOR hedonism
Words nearby hedonism
hedjaz,
hedonic,
hedonic calculus,
hedonic damages,
hedonics,
hedonism,
hedonist,
hedrocele,
hedy,
heebie-jeebies,
heed
Example sentences from the Web for hedonism
British Dictionary definitions for hedonism
hedonism
/ (ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm, ˈhɛd-) /
noun
ethics
- the doctrine that moral value can be defined in terms of pleasureSee utilitarianism
- the doctrine that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good
the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of principle
indulgence in sensual pleasures
Derived forms of hedonism
hedonic or hedonistic, adjective hedonist, nounWord Origin for hedonism
C19: from Greek
hēdonē pleasure
Cultural definitions for hedonism
hedonism
[ (heed-n-iz-uhm) ]
In ethics, the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good in life. Some hedonists, such as the Epicureans, have insisted that pleasure of the entire mind, not just pleasure of the senses, is this highest good.