liberalism
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.”
How to use liberalism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA belief system built around personal freedom, equal rights, and (often) government reform.
Word forms
liberalisms plural
Fill the gap
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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
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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