Skip to content

décadence

decadence

noun deh-kah-DAHNS Rare
People & Society Values

Also means

decline

Usage Note

Décadence describes both moral decline and the broader collapse of a civilization or era. The phrase tomber en décadence means 'to fall into decline'. The related adjective décadent/décadente can describe either a decaying society or, in a more playful register, luxuriously indulgent food or behaviour.

Examples

"Certains voient ce luxe comme de la décadence."

Natural Translation

Some see this luxury as decadence.

Literal Translation

Some see this luxury as of-the decadence.

Explore French by topic