epicureanism

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/ˌɛpɪˈkju(ə)ɹiənɪzəm/

noun

The philosophical belief that pleasure is the highest good, particularly as advocated by Epicurus with a focus on mental pleasures and on avoidance of pain (ataraxia) through moderation and common virtue.

Similar
hedonismgeneral pursuit of pleasureparticularly refined and knowledgeable enjoyment of good fooddrinkand similar sensual pleasuresatheismepicurism
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Meanings

epicureanism1

nounepicureanism (uncountable)
  1. uncountableAlternative letter-case form of Epicureanism (general pursuit of pleasure).

Epicureanism2

nounEpicureanism (usually uncountable, plural Epicureanisms)

plural Epicureanisms · alternative epicureanism

  1. uncountableusuallyethicsThe philosophical belief that pleasure is the highest good, particularly as advocated by Epicurus with a focus on mental pleasures and on avoidance of pain (ataraxia) through moderation and common virtue.
  2. proscribedsometimesuncountableusuallySynonym of hedonism, general pursuit of pleasure, particularly refined and knowledgeable enjoyment of good food, drink, and similar sensual pleasures.

    Synonyms: hedonism, general pursuit of pleasure, particularly refined and knowledgeable enjoyment of good food, drink, and similar sensual pleasures

  3. obsoleteuncountableusuallySynonym of atheism.

    Synonyms: atheism

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of hedonism, general pursuit of pleasure, particularly refined and knowledgeable enjoyment of good food, drink, and similar sensual pleasures.

Similar
hedonismgeneral pursuit of pleasureparticularly refined and knowledgeable enjoyment of good fooddrinkand similar sensual pleasures

nounSynonym of atheism.

Similar
atheism
Similar
epicurism
Broader
selfishnesshedonism
Also see
atheismepicurism

Origin

From Epicurean + -ism. As a pejorative synonym of atheism, both from the philosophy's rejection of deontological morality and from Epicurus's specific belief that the Greek gods—if they did exist—did not concern themselves at all with mankind, its actions, or any system of reward or punishment for them. Doublet of epicurism.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan epicureisme
  • epicureismesystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Czech epikureismus, epikurejství
  • epikureismussystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
  • epikurejstvísystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Dutch epicurisme
  • epicurismesystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Finnish epikurolaisuus
  • epikurolaisuussystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
French épicurisme, épicuréisme
  • épicurismesystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
  • épicuréismesystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Japanese 快楽主義
  • 快楽主義 (kairaku-syugi)system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Polish epikureizm
  • epikureizmsystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Portuguese epicurismo
  • epicurismosystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Russian эпикуре́йство
  • эпикуре́йство (epikuréjstvo)system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Spanish epicureísmo
  • epicureísmosystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Swedish epikurism
  • epikurismsystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Turkish Epikürcülük
  • Epikürcülüksystem of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus
Cite this entry
APA

epicureanism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epicureanism

MLA

“epicureanism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epicureanism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “epicureanism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epicureanism.

Source: epicureanism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.