individualism
Use Individualism in a sentence
dəˈvɪdʒ noun
1.
a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual.
2.
the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.
3.
the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests; egoism.
4.
individual character; individuality.
5.
an individual peculiarity.
6.
Philosophy.
a.
the doctrine that only individual things are real.
b.
the doctrine or belief that all actions are determined by, or at least take place for, the benefit of the individual, not of society as a whole.
Related forms
o·ver·in·di·vid·u·al·ism, noun
su·per·in·di·vid·u·al·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To individualism
00:10
Individualism
has a plethora of syllables.
So is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. Does it mean:
| an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language. |
| (used as a nonsense word by children to express approval or to represent the longest word in English.) |
Collins
World English Dictionary
individualism (ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the action or principle of asserting one's independence and individuality; egoism |
| 2. | an individual quirk or peculiarity |
| 3. | another word for laissez faire |
| 4. | philosophy Platonism Compare realism the doctrine that only individual things exist and that therefore classes or properties have no reality |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
individualism
"self-centered feeling," 1827, from individual + -ism. As a social philosophy (opposed to communism and socialism) first attested 1851 in writings of J.S. Mill.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
individualism definition
A view that stresses the importance and worth of each person. In economics, it is the doctrine that individuals best serve the public interest by pursuing their own self-interest. For example, the businessman who expands his company to increase his profits also creates jobs for many people and thereby serves the public interest. (See laissez-faire.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Our country never was a libertarian idea of radical individualism.
The implications are disheartening enough for a product that pretty much stands for proud individualism.
But so does the elimination of individualism, whether by law or custom.
Journalism at its best is a highly personal art, and radio encouraged individualism.
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