nominalism

1 of 2

noun (1)

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-

nominalist

2 of 2

noun (2)

no·​mi·​nal·​ist -ᵊlə̇st 

-lə̇st

plural -s

: an advocate of nominalism

Examples of nominalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably from French nominaliste, from Middle French, from nominal nominalist (from Medieval Latin nominalis, from Latin nominalis, adjective, of or relating to a name) + -iste -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nominalism

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