sybarite
UK: ˈsɪbəraɪt | US: ˈsɪbəˌraɪt
n. a person devoted to luxury and pleasure; a hedonist
The word "sybarite" derives from Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy renowned for its wealth and decadence. Its inhabitants (Sybarites) were infamous for their extravagant lifestyles and love of luxury. By the 16th century, "sybarite" entered English to describe anyone devoted to sensual indulgence. The suffix -ite (from Greek -itēs) denotes affiliation, here marking a person associated with Sybaris’ opulence.
The millionaire lived like a sybarite, surrounded by fine art and gourmet food.
Critics accused the politician of being a sybarite who ignored the struggles of ordinary people.
Her sybarite tendencies made her the perfect hostess for lavish parties.
The novel’s villain is a sybarite who values pleasure above all else.
Modern sybarites flock to the resort for its spa treatments and champagne bars.