hedonism

First attested 1856: from Ancient Greek ἡδονή (hēdonḗ, “pleasure”) +‎ -ism.

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: hĕdənĭzəm, IPA^(key): /ˈhɛdənɪzəm/
• (General American) enPR: hēdənĭzəm, IPA^(key): /ˈhiːdənɪzəm/

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• Hyphenation: he‧don‧ism

hedonism (usually uncountable, plural hedonisms)

1. (ethics, uncountable) The belief 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 the highest good.
2. (countable) A general devotion to the pursuit of pleasure.

• asceticism

• hedonic
• hedonics
• hedonist
• hedonistic
• hedonistically

• debauchery

• hedonism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911
• hedonism at OneLook Dictionary Search

• demonish, monished, Sondheim

From French hédonisme.

hedonism n (uncountable)

1. hedonism