Meaning & use
individualism
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Meanings
noununcountable
The belief that people should act independently and take care of themselves rather than always following the group.
Grammar: Uncountable; no plural. Use with 'the' when referring to a specific type: 'the individualism of the 1980s'.
Patterns
- individualism in something
- a sense of individualism
- rugged individualism
The country's culture places a high value on individualism.
Her individualism made her stand out from the crowd.
Critics say too much individualism can weaken community ties.
noununcountable
A social or economic system that gives priority to personal freedom and private initiative over state control.
Grammar: Often used in political or economic discussions, frequently contrasted with collectivism.
Patterns
- economic individualism
- political individualism
- a philosophy of individualism
The party's platform emphasized economic individualism.
In political theory, individualism is often set against collectivism.
His writings defended individualism as the basis of a free society.
Common combinations
- rugged individualism
- The frontier myth of rugged individualism still shapes American identity.
- a sense of individualism
- The school encourages a strong sense of individualism in its students.
- individualism versus collectivism
- The debate often boils down to individualism versus collectivism.
- extreme individualism
- Extreme individualism can lead to social isolation.
- promote individualism
- Some policies promote individualism at the expense of public goods.
Synonyms and how they differ
- independence
- Focuses on not relying on others; individualism is a broader belief or social outlook.
- self-reliance
- Emphasizes personal effort and resources; individualism also includes political and cultural values.
- libertarianism
- A political philosophy; individualism is a wider social attitude that can exist without formal politics.
Opposites
Word family
- individual noun
- A single person, especially when considered separately from a group.
- individualist noun
- A person who believes in or practices individualism.
- individualistic adjective
- Describing a person or society that values independence over group conformity.
- individuality noun
- The quality of being different and distinct from others.
Commonly confused: individualism or individuality?
individualism vs individuality
Individuality is the quality of being an individual; individualism is the belief in prioritizing the individual.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'individualism' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Individualism means valuing self-reliance and personal independence, so relying on oneself fits. Option A contradicts the meaning (individualism often reduces cooperation). Option B is wrong because following trends is conformity, the opposite of individualism. Option D is wrong because 'individualism' is uncountable.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “individualism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.