epicure
noun
Did you know?
The word epicure is currently associated with indulging the appetite, but that is a long way from the teachings of the man to whom we owe the word. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus taught a philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and a secluded life. He believed in the pursuit of pleasure, but pleasure for him comprised tranquility and freedom from pain—not the indulgence of the senses. Detractors of Epicurus in his own time and later, however, reduced his notions of pleasure to material and sensual gratification. When epicure entered English in the 16th century, it was synonymous with the modern term hedonist; later use carried the notion of refinement of palate that we see in the word today.
Did you know?
The word epicure is currently associated with indulging the appetite, but that is a long way from the teachings of the man to whom we owe the word. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus taught a philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and a secluded life. He believed in the pursuit of pleasure, but pleasure for him equated with tranquility and freedom from pain—not the indulgence of the senses. However, detractors of Epicurus in his own time and later reduced his notions of pleasure to material and sensual gratification. When epicure entered English in the 16th century, the philosophy of Epicurus had been trivialized, and so the word became synonymous with “hedonist.”
Synonyms
- bon vivant
- epicurean
- gastronome
- gastronomist
- gourmand
- gourmet
Example Sentences
Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022 An epicure is particular about his pleasures; a snob is particular about everyone else’s pleasures, forever lecturing others about their tastes in music, clothes, restaurants, and their general modes of life. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 10 Mar. 2022 Visitors to downtown Napa can further embrace their inner epicure at the Oxbow Public Market, a food hall included by Times travel writer Christopher Reynolds on his list of the 40 best autumn experiences in California. Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2022 The Portland, Maine, seafood epicure offers a wide assortment of caviars from around the world and outstanding collections like this Royal Osetra Tasting. Megan Murphy, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2021 Picture a plateful of flounder leaping off the dish and chomping the epicure’s nose. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Nov. 2021 We’ve been subjected to the bottom of the barrel: cheap, salty, scratchy little things that any epicure would despise. Ruth Reichl, Town & Country, 28 Feb. 2021 All kinds of scams proliferate in the truffle world’s lawless climate, fed by the appetites of epicures and consumers of culinary bling alike, and most of us are mycologically illiterate—and thus easily duped. Eugenia Bone, WSJ, 10 July 2019 Victoria has numerous tea rooms, many geared to budget-conscious epicures like us, Charlie and Jean told us. Roy Harris Jr., latimes.com, 20 May 2018 See More Word History
Epicurus
1551, in the meaning defined at sense 2
epicure
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- epicurean
- gourmet
- gastronome
- gastronomist
- bon vivant
- gourmand
- foodie
- savorer
- connoisseur
- oenophile
- dilettante
- turophile
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- trencherman
- glutton
- hog
- guzzler
- overeater
- stuffer
- gorger
- swiller
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of epicure are gastronome, gourmand, and gourmet. While all these words mean "one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking," epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.
While in some cases nearly identical to epicure, gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.
The synonyms gourmand and epicure are sometimes interchangeable, but gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.
The words gourmet and epicure can be used in similar contexts, but gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.