What does epicurean mean?
Epicurean describes someone or something devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, especially through fine food, drink, and physical comfort. Used adjectivally, it appears in phrases like 'epicurean delights' or an 'epicurean lifestyle', suggesting luxurious, sensuously rich living; used as a noun, it denotes a person with cultivated tastes in gastronomy. The word derives from Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who taught that pleasure was the highest good — though his notion of pleasure centred on tranquility and simple satisfactions rather than extravagance. Over centuries, popular usage drifted toward connotations of hedonism and indulgence, so modern 'epicurean' often carries a faint whiff of excess, whether affectionate or mildly critical. Distinguished from the capitalised 'Epicurean', which refers strictly to the philosophical school, the lowercase adjective is a staple of food writing, travel journalism, and descriptions of refined leisure.
Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially good food and comfort; luxuriously indulgent.
"Their anniversary dinner was a truly epicurean affair, spanning four hours and eight courses."
Often implies pleasurable excess; can be admiring or faintly disapproving depending on tone.
A person devoted to refined enjoyment, especially of food and drink; a gourmet or bon vivant.
"A true epicurean, she planned her entire holiday around the restaurants of Lyon."
Standard plural for the noun sense referring to people devoted to refined pleasure.
"The city attracts epicureans from around the world with its markets and Michelin-starred dining rooms."
Ironically, the philosopher whose name gave us 'epicurean' preached simple bread and water as ideal fare — today's food-obsessed 'epicureans' would have horrified him.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epicurean
Epicurean derives from the name Epicurus (Greek Epikouros), the Athenian-born philosopher who founded his school, the Garden, around 307 BCE. English adopted the term in the 16th–17th century via Latin epicureus and French, initially referring to followers of Epicurus's philosophy before acquiring its now-dominant sense of devotion to luxurious sensual pleasure — a meaning that ironically distorts Epicurus's own teaching of moderation. Related forms include the noun 'epicure' and the abstract 'epicureanism'.
Related word forms
How epicurean is actually used
Lowercase 'epicurean' typically carries a mildly pejorative or playful connotation of over-indulgence, though it can be used neutrally or admiringly to describe sophisticated culinary culture. The capitalised form 'Epicurean' is reserved for the ancient Greek philosophical school founded by Epicurus around 307 BCE, whose teachings — contrary to popular misconception — emphasised ataraxia (tranquility) and modest pleasures rather than lavish indulgence. The word is somewhat formal or literary in register.
Easily confused with epicurean
Capitalised 'Epicurean' refers strictly to the philosophy of Epicurus (which actually valued simple pleasures and freedom from pain), while lowercase 'epicurean' means devoted to luxury and sensual indulgence — often misrepresenting Epicurus's actual teachings.
An 'epicure' is specifically a person with refined taste in food and drink, whereas 'epicurean' is primarily an adjective describing anything characterised by luxurious enjoyment.