epicurean

comparative more epicurean · superlative most epicurean

1. Pursuing pleasure, especially in reference to food or comfort.

   Though a list of the great writers contain all the constituents of an Epicurean feast, yet to most of us it resembles the menu of a Gargantuan banquet.

   1922, P. B. M. Allan, The Book-Hunter at Home, 2nd edition, London: Philip Allan & Co., page 61

   1 more example

   The powers of the Canadian voyageurs and hunters in the consumption of meat strike the greenhorn with wonder and astonishment; and are only equalled by the gastronomical capabilities exhibited by Indian dogs, both following the same plan in their epicurean gorgings.

   1847, George Frederick Augustus Ruxton, Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains, page 267

   Synonyms: Cyrenaic, hedonistic

2. Devoted to luxurious living.

   Synonyms: decadent, epicurious, sybaritic, Babylonian, decadent, epicureal, epicureous, epicurish

plural epicureans

1. One who is devoted to pleasure.

   I keep but a man and a maid, ever ready to slander and steal ; / I know it, and smile a hard-set smile, like a stoic, or like / A wiser epicurean, and let the world have its way.

   1855, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Maud”, in Maud, and Other Poems, page 22

   1 more example

   Other eras have had their epicureans or hedonists, of course, who lived and sometimes died for the ideal of simplicity or pleasure in an epic kind of way. But today’s gazillion-strong influencer community has zero intellectual underpinning to it, which is why it’s so often the unwitting butt of its own joke.

   2025 April 3, Marina Hyde, “It’s With Love, Meghan – not just a TV show but a landmark piece of art. And not in a good way”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: pleasure seeker, hedonist, bon viveur, epicure, hedonist, high-stepper, lapling, lotus-eater

comparative more Epicurean · superlative most Epicurean

1. Of or relating to Epicurus or Epicureanism, his philosophy.

plural Epicureans

1. a follower of Epicurus and Epicureanism