Meaning & use
individualistic
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Emphasizing personal independence, self-reliance, and one's own goals over group conformity.
Grammar: Used to describe people, groups, or cultures; can be modified by more/most.
Patterns
- individualistic society
- highly individualistic
- individualistic approach
Many Americans are considered individualistic, valuing personal achievement over group harmony.
The company's culture is highly individualistic, encouraging employees to work independently.
In an individualistic society, people often prioritize their own goals over collective needs.
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Relating to the idea that individual rights and interests should be prioritized over those of the state or community.
Grammar: Often used in political or philosophical contexts; not usually graded.
Patterns
- individualistic philosophy
- individualistic political system
The country's individualistic political tradition emphasizes personal freedoms.
His individualistic philosophy clashed with the community's collective values.
Word forms
| comparative | more individualistic |
|---|---|
| superlative | most individualistic |
Common combinations
- highly individualistic
- The team is highly individualistic, with each member working alone.
- individualistic culture
- Western countries are often described as having individualistic cultures.
- individualistic approach
- She took an individualistic approach to solving the problem.
- individualistic society
- In an individualistic society, people tend to move away from their families.
Synonyms and how they differ
- independent
- Focuses on not relying on others; individualistic emphasizes a philosophy or attitude that values independence over group conformity.
- self-reliant
- Describes a person who can manage alone; individualistic is broader and can describe cultures or ideas.
- egoistic
- Has a negative sense of selfishness; individualistic can be neutral or mildly critical.
Opposites
Word family
- individualism noun
- The belief in or practice of prioritizing individual rights and independence.
- individualist noun
- A person who advocates or follows individualistic principles.
- individual noun
- A single person, as opposed to a group.
Commonly confused: individualistic or individual?
individualistic vs individual
As an adjective, 'individual' means relating to one person or thing; 'individualistic' means emphasizing independence over group conformity.
Practice
The culture in that country is very ______, with people expected to make decisions for themselves rather than follow the group.
Choose one answer.
The sentence describes a culture that values personal independence, so 'individualistic' fits. 'Collectivist' is the opposite, and 'conformist' means following the group, which contradicts the context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “individualistic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.