nominalism

noun

nom·​i·​nal·​ism ˈnä-mə-nə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈnäm-nə-ˌli-zəm

1

: a theory that there are no universal essences in reality and that the mind can frame no single concept or image corresponding to any universal or general term

2

: the theory that only individuals and no abstract entities (such as essences, classes, or propositions) exist compare essentialism, realism

nominalist

ˈnä-mə-nə-list 

ˈnäm-nə-list

noun

nominalist adjective

or nominalistic

ˌnä-mə-nə-ˈli-stik 

ˌnäm-nə-ˈli-

Examples of nominalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In philosophy, this tension between intrinsic and imposed categories takes the form of a debate between nominalism and realism. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023

Occam instead proposed what became known as nominalism. —Andrew Crumey, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nominalism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism