What does "individualism" mean?

The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.

What is a synonym for "individualism"?

Common synonyms include: individuality, acquisitiveness, animus, aptitude, aroma, atomism.

noun

noun ·7 syllables ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought. countable, uncountable
"He believes that self-improvement and its growing popularity are symptoms of what he calls individualism."
2
the quality of being individual wordnet
3
The moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that promotes independence and self-reliance of individual people, while opposing the interference with each person's choices by society, the state, or any other group or institution. countable, uncountable
"[A]nd that one great and all-important occasion and provocative of these beliefs was actually the rise of self-consciousness — that is, the coming of the mind to a more or less distinct awareness of itself and of its own operation, and the consequent development and growth of Individualism, and of the Self-centred attitude in human thought and action."
4
the doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs wordnet
5
The doctrine that only individual things are real. countable, uncountable

Show 2 more definitions

6
a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence wordnet
7
The doctrine that nothing exists but the individual self. countable, uncountable