Definition of Individualism

1. Noun. The quality of being individual. "So absorbed by the movement that she lost all sense of individuality"


2. Noun. A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence.
Generic synonyms: Belief
Specialized synonyms: Rugged Individualism
Derivative terms: Individualist

3. Noun. The doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs.
Exact synonyms: Laissez Faire
Generic synonyms: Doctrine, Ism, Philosophical System, Philosophy, School Of Thought
Derivative terms: Individualistic

Definition of Individualism

1. n. The quality of being individual; individuality; personality.

2. n. The principle, policy, or practice of maintaining individuality, or independence of the individual, in action; the theory or practice of maintaining the independence of individual initiative, action, and interests, as in industrial organization or in government.

Definition of Individualism

1. Noun. The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought. ¹

2. Noun. 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. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Individualism

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Individualism

1. 1. The quality of being individual; individuality; personality. 2. An excessive or exclusive regard to one's personal interest; self-interest; selfishness. "The selfishness of the small proprietor has been described by the best writers as individualism." (Ed. Rev) Origin: Cf. F. Individualisme. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Individualism

individual differences
individual psychology
individual pursuit
individual retirement account
individual sport
individual therapy
individual tolerance
individual voluntary arrangement
individual voluntary arrangements
individualisation
individualisations
individualise
individualised
individualises
individualising
individualism
individualisms
individualist
individualistic
individualistically
individualists
individualities
individuality
individualizable
individualization
individualizations
individualize
individualized
individualizer
individualizers

Literary usage of Individualism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1904)
"CHAPTER XXVI Individualism IN DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES Why democratic nations show a more ardent and enduring love of equality than of ..."

2. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1899)
"CHAPTER II Of Individualism in Democratic Countries I HAVE shown how it is ... Individualism o is a novel expression, to which a novel idea has given birth. ..."

3. The Task of Social Hygiene by Havelock Ellis (1912)
"XII Individualism AND SOCIALISM Social Hygiene in Relation to the Alleged Opposition between Socialism and Individualism—The Two Parties in Politics—The ..."

4. Journal of Theological Studies (1904)
"Individualism AND AUTHORITY. God and the Individual, and Authority in the Church. By TB STRONG, DD, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. ..."

5. The Popular Science Monthly (1891)
"Individualism implies concentration of thought, tenacity of purpose, ... The great enemy to individualism is laziness, and those who know anything of human ..."

6. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"Individualism.—Л comprehensive and logical definition of this term is not ... Individualism is not the opposite of socialism, except in a very general and ..."

7. A Student's History of Education by Frank Pierrepont Graves (1915)
"Individualism was first fully recognized in the teachings of Christ, but was repressed ... For a time individualism dominated, but education since then has ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Individualism on Dictionary.com!Search for Individualism on Thesaurus.com!Search for Individualism on Google!Search for Individualism on Wikipedia!

Search