materialism
Materialism (noun) means a strong focus on owning possessions and acquiring wealth, often at the expense of other values. Example: “Critics accuse the holiday season of encouraging materialism.”
How to use materialism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCaring too much about money and possessions, or, in philosophy, the belief that everything is ultimately physical.
Word forms
materialisms plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics accuse the holiday season of encouraging _____.
Etymology
From French matérialisme, built from material + the suffix -ism.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for materialism
Frequently asked questions
What does “materialism” mean?
The word “materialism” means a strong focus on owning possessions and acquiring wealth, often at the expense of other values. In plain terms, caring too much about money and possessions, or, in philosophy, the belief that everything is ultimately physical.
How do you pronounce “materialism”?
“Materialism” is pronounced muh-TEER-ree-uh-lih-zuhm (/məˈtɪɹiəlɪzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “materialism” in a sentence?
Here is “materialism” used in a sentence: “Critics accuse the holiday season of encouraging materialism.”
What part of speech is “materialism”?
“Materialism” is a noun.
Where does the word “materialism” come from?
The word “materialism” comes from French. From French matérialisme, built from material + the suffix -ism.
Is “materialism” a common word?
“Materialism” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “materialism” have?
“Materialism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong focus on owning possessions and acquiring wealth, often at the expense of other values.