individualism

C2 Topic:People & Society

US /ˌɪndɪvɪˈduːəˌlɪzəm/ See IPA manual

Freq #45582

Meanings

1

noun
The belief that the freedom and self-reliance of each person matter more than the group or the state.

American culture is often said to value individualism above all.
2

noun
The habit of acting and thinking for yourself, without following others.

Her bold fashion choices were an expression of her individualism.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · the habit of acting and... individuality

More solipsism

Opposites

collectivism statism

Word family

Derived forms anarcho-individualismhyperindividualismoverindividualismsuperindividualism

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

rugged individualism
a strong belief in personal independence, self-reliance, and free competition

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Borrowed from French individualisme, equivalent to individual + -ism.

Topics

People & Society Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# individualism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌɪndɪvɪˈduːəˌlɪzəm/
**Frequency rank:** 45582

## Meanings
1. The belief that the freedom and self-reliance of each person matter more than the group or the state.
2. The habit of acting and thinking for yourself, without following others.

## Examples
- American culture is often said to value individualism above all.
- Her bold fashion choices were an expression of her individualism.

## Synonyms
- solipsism

## Antonyms
- collectivism
- statism

## Derived Forms
- anarcho-individualism
- hyperindividualism
- overindividualism
- superindividualism

## Etymology
Borrowed from French individualisme, equivalent to individual + -ism.

## AI Etymology
Individualism is borrowed from French individualisme, equivalent to individual + -ism. In present-day use, it can mean the belief that the freedom and self-reliance of each person matter more than the group or the state, or the habit of acting and thinking for yourself, without following others. Derived formations include anarcho-individualism, hyperindividualism, overindividualism, and superindividualism.

## Topics
- People & Society
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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