socialist

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who supports socialism, believing that the community or government should control major economic resources.

   Grammar: Countable noun: a socialist, two socialists.

   Patterns

   • a socialist
   • become a socialist

   As a socialist, she believes in public ownership of key industries.

   The candidate described himself as a socialist.

   Socialists argue that wealth should be shared more equally.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to or based on socialism.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: socialist policies, a socialist country.

   Patterns

   • socialist policies
   • a socialist country

   The country adopted socialist policies after the revolution.

   He wrote about socialist ideas in the 19th century.

   They debated whether socialist reforms would help the economy.

Word forms

Common combinations

socialist party

The socialist party gained seats in the election.

socialist government

The socialist government nationalized the banks.

socialist ideas

Socialist ideas spread among workers in the 1800s.

a committed socialist

He was a committed socialist all his life.

Synonyms and how they differ

leftist

Broader and sometimes disapproving; a socialist specifically supports socialism.

communist

A communist supports communism, a more radical form of socialism.

Opposites

Word family

socialism noun

The political and economic theory that the community should own or control production.

socialistic adjective

Having the characteristics of socialism.

Commonly confused: socialist or social?

Practice

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