individualist

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ist ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-list 

-ˈvij-wə-, 

-ˈvi-jə-list

1

: one that pursues a markedly independent course in thought or action

2

: one that advocates or practices individualism

individualist adjective

or individualistic

ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-wə-ˈli-stik 

-ˌvij-wə-, 

-ˌvi-jə-ˈli-

individualistically

ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-wə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˌvij-wə-, 

-ˌvi-jə-ˈli-

adverb

Synonyms of individualist

• maverick
• bohemian
• iconoclast
• loner

Examples of individualist in a Sentence

The school encourages children to be individualists.

an individualist who steadfastly refuses to do what everyone else is doing

Recent Examples on the Web

The time was ripe for the individualist, the pioneer, on the inventive front of industry. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 14 Feb. 2026

In America, where capitalist and individualist ethics have always predominated, public health nonetheless managed to carve out a large cooperative space. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026

Making something that is not America—is communal where America is individualist, is peaceable where America is warring. —Katherine Packert Burke, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

Olive Nwosu‘s lively, humid debut feature zeroes in on a determined individualist in a city of over 17 million. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for individualist

• dualist

Kids Definition

individualist

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ist ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wə-ləst 

-ˈvij-əl-əst

1

: a person who thinks or behaves in an individual or independent way

2

: a supporter of individualism

individualist adjective

or individualistic

-ˌvij-(ə-)wə-ˈlis-tik 

-ˌvij-ə-ˈlis-tik

individualistically

-ˈlis-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb