What does "chauvinism" mean?
Excessive patriotism, eagerness for national superiority; jingoism.
Chauvinism
/ˈʃəʊ.vɪ.nɪ.zəm/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Excessive patriotism, eagerness for national superiority; jingoism.
- Grammar: chauvinism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: jingoism, male chauvinism, aggression, aggressiveness.
- Useful contrasts: cosmopolitanism, egalitarianism, feminism.
- Usage evidence: His casual chauvinism was highly off-putting.
How to use "chauvinism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "chauvinism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "chauvinism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 Excessive patriotism, eagerness for national superiority; jingoism. countable, derogatory, uncountable
"(C. S.) Lewis occasionally expressed a somewhat tongue-in-cheek chauvinism towards the English. Describing an encounter with a fellow Irishman, he wrote: "Like all Irish people who meet in England, we ended by criticisms on the invincible flippancy and dullness of the Anglo-Saxon race."
- 2 activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over women wordnet
- 3 Unwarranted bias, favoritism, or devotion to one's own particular group, cause, or idea. countable, derogatory, uncountable
"Feminists say that male chauvinism is still prevalent in cultures worldwide."
- 4 fanatical patriotism wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"His casual chauvinism was highly off-putting."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "chauvinism"?
Common synonyms include: jingoism, male chauvinism, aggression, aggressiveness, americanism, anglicism.
How do you use "chauvinism" in a sentence?
His casual chauvinism was highly off-putting.
How do you pronounce "chauvinism"?
Pronounced /ˈʃəʊ.vɪ.nɪ.zəm/.
Etymology
Borrowed from French chauvinisme (“idealistic devotion to Napoleon”), named for Nicolas Chauvin, a legendary and excessively patriotic soldier of the French First Republic. The figure of Chauvin became especially famous as a character in the play La Cocarde Tricolore by the Cogniard brothers.