hedonism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, academic, journalistic; occasionally informal when used critically.
Quick answer
What does “hedonism” mean?
The ethical theory or lifestyle that prioritises pleasure and enjoyment as the highest good and most important life goal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ethical theory or lifestyle that prioritises pleasure and enjoyment as the highest good and most important life goal.
A broader tendency or behaviour pattern characterised by the pursuit of immediate, often self-indulgent, pleasure or sensual gratification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation differs (see IPA). Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative moral judgment in some conservative American discourse. In British usage, may be associated more with historical philosophical discussion.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher in UK academic/philosophy contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hedonism” in a Sentence
[noun] is a form of hedonismthe hedonism of [noun phrase]a life of hedonismindulge in hedonismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hedonism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'To hedonise' is rarely used. The typical verb form is the phrasal verb 'indulge in hedonism'.
American English
- As in British English, the verb 'hedonize' is obsolete/very rare. Use 'pursue hedonism'.
adverb
British English
- They lived hedonistically, spending freely on luxuries.
American English
- The characters behave hedonistically, with little thought for tomorrow.
adjective
British English
- His hedonistic lifestyle left him bankrupt by forty.
- The festival had a hedonistic atmosphere.
American English
- She rejected her parents' hedonistic values.
- The movie portrays a hedonistic subculture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in critiques of corporate culture or executive lifestyles (e.g., 'the hedonism of the boom years').
Academic
Common in philosophy, ethics, psychology, and cultural studies to describe theories or behaviours centered on pleasure.
Everyday
Used to describe a pleasure-focused lifestyle, often critically (e.g., 'the hedonism of some celebrities').
Technical
In philosophy, a precise term for theories that define 'good' as pleasure (e.g., Bentham's utilitarianism is a form of hedonism).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hedonism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hedonism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hedonism”
- Misspelling as *hedonisim or *hedonysm. Mispronouncing the first syllable as /heɪ/ (like 'hay') or /hɛ/ (like 'head'). Confusing with 'hedonistic' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. In philosophy, it is a neutral theory about what is 'good'. In everyday use, it often has a negative connotation implying excess and selfishness, but it can be used neutrally to describe a pleasure-centered philosophy.
Epicureanism is a specific, refined type of hedonism that emphasises intellectual pleasures, tranquillity, and the avoidance of pain, rather than crude or immediate sensual indulgence.
Yes, while often focused on individual pleasure, the term can describe a group or cultural ethos, e.g., 'the hedonism of the 1920s' or 'the hedonism found at certain festivals'.
Yes, 'psychological hedonism' is the theory that all human action is ultimately motivated by the desire to gain pleasure or avoid pain. This is a descriptive claim, not an ethical one.
The ethical theory or lifestyle that prioritises pleasure and enjoyment as the highest good and most important life goal.
Hedonism is usually formal, academic, journalistic; occasionally informal when used critically. in register.
Hedonism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhiː.də.nɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhiː.də.nɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wine, women, and song (epitomises a hedonistic lifestyle)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HE DON is M... think of a man named 'He Don' whose main goal in life is 'M' for Maximising pleasure.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A FEAST / PLEASURE IS A GOAL / THE BODY IS A VESSEL FOR PLEASURE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most closely associated with the core philosophical idea of hedonism?