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.
Individualism
noun
noun ·7 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.
- Grammar: individualism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: acquisitiveness, animus, aptitude, aroma.
- Useful contrasts: communal life, communal living, communal tendency.
- Usage evidence: In a country where individualism is more common, personal objections to smoking in public are usually respected.
How to use "individualism"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "individualism" 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
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "individualism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "individualism" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "individualism" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "individualism" 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
Compare it with "acquisitiveness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "individualism", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
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
Antonyms
communal lifecommunal livingcommunal tendencycommunal values
Example
"In a country where individualism is more common, personal objections to smoking in public are usually respected."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "individualism"?
Common synonyms include: acquisitiveness, animus, aptitude, aroma, atomism, attribute.
How do you use "individualism" in a sentence?
In a country where individualism is more common, personal objections to smoking in public are usually respected.
Etymology
Borrowed from French individualisme, equivalent to individual + -ism.