Words / C2

SIB-uh-ryt/ˈsɪbəraɪt/

A sybarite is a person devoted to luxury and pleasure (often disapproving): a notorious sybarite, sybarite taste. Luxury (already in the dictionary) is everyday great comfort and expensive things; pleasure and comfort (already in the dictionary) are enjoyment, and ease. A hedonist (already in the dictionary) is someone who lives for pleasure — the close twin of doctrine more than of taste. Decadence (already in the dictionary) is luxurious moral decline. This batch: a reprobate is an unprincipled person. An ice sculpture is not a named fire warden.

Meaning

A person devoted to luxury and pleasure (often disapproving).

Examples

• “A sybarite ice sculpture at the gala is not a named fire warden.”
• “Luxury is great comfort and expensive extras (already in B1). Pleasure is enjoyment (already in B2). Comfort is ease (already in B1). A hedonist lives for pleasure (already in C1). Decadence is luxurious moral decline (already in C2). A reprobate is an unprincipled person (this batch). Taste at a sitting can be exact. Taste instead of a rota is a hole. Write the name; leave the ice for the social.”

Good to know

A devotee of luxury (disapproving). Everyday: luxury / pleasure / comfort (already in this dictionary). Close: hedonist (already in C1); decadence (already in C2). This batch: reprobate. Ice ≠ a warden.

Near in meaning

hedonist, voluptuary, epicure, bon viveur

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