Anhedonic

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ænhiːˈdɒnɪk/

Definitions

1. Unable to experience pleasure or enjoyment from activities that would normally bring satisfaction
2. Lacking the ability to sense enjoyment from experiences that usually provide happiness
3. Incapable of deriving satisfaction or delight from typically pleasurable activities

Etymology: "Anhedonic" is built from "anhedonia" plus the suffix "-ic," which forms adjectives meaning "relating to" or "having the quality of." The root of "anhedonia" is the Greek "anhedonos," made of the prefix "an-" meaning "without" and "hedone," meaning "pleasure." Ancient Greek "hedone" is also the source of the word "hedonism," so the two terms are close relatives. "Anhedonia" itself is a modern coinage. It was formed from the Greek pieces at a later date, when writers needed a precise term for the loss of the capacity to feel pleasure. The adjective "anhedonic" follows the same pattern, describing a person or state marked by that loss. Its meaning stays close to the Greek sense of "without pleasure."

Synonyms: joyless, unhappy, discontented

Antonyms: joyful, pleasurable