individualism

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ism ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˈvij-wə-,

-ˈvi-jə-ˌli-

1

a(1)

: a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount

also : conduct guided by such a doctrine

(2)

: the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals

b

: a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests

also : conduct or practice guided by such a theory

2

a

: individuality

b

: an individual peculiarity : idiosyncrasy

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• kink
• mannerism
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

Examples of individualism in a Sentence

a society that believes strongly in individualism

He was respected for his self-reliance and individualism.

Recent Examples on the Web

By the nineties, levels of individualism and persistence in the North and South were completely different. —Sofia Shchukina, NPR, 3 Sep. 2024

How did this simple and wild fairytale from a faraway land capture the hearts of reserved Estonians and accompanied the tumultuous transition from collectivism to individualism? Pitch: Doesn’t life nowadays look like a soap opera? —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2024

But while the moment lasted, the combination of imperial ambition, liberal individualism, transatlantic exchange, and social affluence produced groundbreaking books, paintings, and musical compositions. —Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

Designed to amplify a message of freedom of expression, sexuality and individualism, the 24-piece capsule features the work of artists including Stuart Sandford, Suzanne Shifflett, Tank, the Hun, Valentine, Henning von Berg and Tom of Finland. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

individualism

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ism ˌin-də-ˈvij(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm 

-ˈvij-ə-ˌliz-

1

: a belief that the interests of the individual are of the greatest importance

2

: a belief that the individual has political or economic rights with which the state must not interfere