Learn English – What do you call someone who spends his time enjoying himself, especially one who behaves irresponsibly

single-word-requests

What do you call a rich man who spends his time enjoying himself, especially one who behaves irresponsibly but is not a playboy? Someone without being sexually promiscuous yet going to social events, games and so on?

Best Answer

A sybarite or epicure (only if talking about food/wine on this one) or bon vivant. You could use hedonism but sometimes people will use that word to include things like sexual activities (however the definition has nothing to do with that - it's just a synonym of sybarite). – Kace36

If you want it to mean irresponsible use of money as well then use a word like: thriftless, prodigal, ruinous, imprudent, etc... – Kace36

Socialite fits too I think. merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialite – Max Williams

Definitions:

Sybarite:

a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury.

Epicure:

a person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink.

Bon vivant:

a person who devotes themselves to a sociable and luxurious lifestyle.

Hedonism:

the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.

Thriftless:

(of a person or their behaviour) spending money in an extravagant and wasteful way.

Prodigal:

spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.

Ruinous:

costing far more than can be afforded.

(Also has 'disastrous or destructive' meaning)

Imprudent:

not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.

Socialite:

a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment.

All definitions from ODO.

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