noun
Uncommon
liberalism
LIH-bruh-lihz-uhm
Liberalism (noun) means a political philosophy centred on individual freedom, equal rights, and government by consent, often paired with support for reform. Example: “Liberalism as a political movement grew out of the Enlightenment's focus on individual rights.”
noun
1
A political philosophy centred on individual freedom, equal rights, and government by consent, often paired with support for reform.
"Liberalism as a political movement grew out of the Enlightenment's focus on individual rights."
"Whether some distant cousin really belongs to the extended family of liberalisms is a matter of healthy dispute."
— Timothy Garton Ash, A Liberal Translation (2009)
2
An economic outlook favouring free markets and minimal government interference in trade.
"Economic liberalism pushed the government to lower trade tariffs."
How to use liberalism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA belief system built around personal freedom, equal rights, and (often) government reform.
Common pairings
classical liberalism
economic liberalism
the rise of liberalism
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Word forms
- Plural
- liberalisms
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_____ as a political movement grew out of the Enlightenment's focus on individual rights.
Etymology
From French libéralisme (around 1818), built from liberal plus the suffix -ism.
Rhymes for liberalism
realism
fatalism
idealism
globalism
socialism
vandalism
federalism
radicalism
capitalism
surrealism
journalism
materialism
See all rhymes for liberalism →
Frequently asked questions
What does “liberalism” mean?
The word “liberalism” means a political philosophy centred on individual freedom, equal rights, and government by consent, often paired with support for reform. In plain terms, a belief system built around personal freedom, equal rights, and (often) government reform.
How do you pronounce “liberalism”?
“Liberalism” is pronounced LIH-bruh-lihz-uhm (/ˈlɪ.b(ə.)ɹə.lɪz.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “liberalism” in a sentence?
Here is “liberalism” used in a sentence: “Liberalism as a political movement grew out of the Enlightenment's focus on individual rights.”
What part of speech is “liberalism”?
“Liberalism” is a noun.
Where does the word “liberalism” come from?
The word “liberalism” dates back to around 1818 and comes from French. From French libéralisme (around 1818), built from liberal plus the suffix -ism.
Is “liberalism” a common word?
“Liberalism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “liberalism” have?
“Liberalism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a political philosophy centred on individual freedom, equal rights, and government by consent, often paired with support for reform.
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