adj
Common
socialist
SOH-shuh-lihst
Socialist (adj) means relating to or supporting socialism. Example: “The socialist government nationalized the railways.”
adj
1
Relating to or supporting socialism.
"The socialist government nationalized the railways."
"I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals."
— Albert Einstein, Why Socialism? (1949)
"She joined a socialist group at university and went to meetings every week."
"The newspaper takes a socialist view on housing and public services."
noun
1
A person who supports or advocates socialism.
"He has always described himself as a socialist."
"My grandfather was a lifelong socialist who volunteered for his local party."
"Is your neighbour a socialist, or does he simply enjoy a good debate?"
How to use socialist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) associated with socialism.
Common pairings
socialist party
a committed socialist
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Word forms
- Plural
- socialists
- Comparative
- more socialist
- Superlative
- most socialist
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ government nationalized the railways.
Etymology
From social + the suffix -ist.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for socialist
realist
vocalist
idealist
finalist
loyalist
medalist
herbalist
mentalist
capitalist
journalist
specialist
naturalist
See all rhymes for socialist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “socialist” mean?
The word “socialist” means relating to or supporting socialism. In plain terms, someone (or something) associated with socialism.
How do you pronounce “socialist”?
“Socialist” is pronounced SOH-shuh-lihst (/ˈsoʊ.ʃə.lɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “socialist” in a sentence?
Here is “socialist” used in a sentence: “The socialist government nationalized the railways.”
What is the opposite of “socialist”?
The opposite of “socialist” — its antonyms — are capitalist, capitalistic and free enterpriser.
What part of speech is “socialist”?
Depending on how it is used, “socialist” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “socialist” a common word?
“Socialist” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “socialist” have?
“Socialist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or supporting socialism.
What is the difference between a socialist and a communist?
A socialist supports socialism, a system in which the community or state owns or regulates key parts of the economy while private property and markets can still exist. A communist supports the more far-reaching goal of common ownership of all property and the abolition of private wealth, so communism is generally regarded as a more radical extension of socialist ideas.
Is 'socialist' capitalised in a sentence?
Written with a lowercase 's', 'socialist' describes a general belief in or supporter of socialism. It is capitalised as 'Socialist' only when it forms part of a proper name, such as a specific political party or the official title of an organisation.
What is the difference between 'socialist' and 'socialite'?
'Socialist' relates to socialism and describes someone who supports that political and economic system. 'Socialite' is an unrelated word meaning a person who is prominent in fashionable society and attends many social events; the two are easily confused because they look similar but share no meaning.
Can 'socialist' be both a noun and an adjective?
Yes. As an adjective it describes something relating to or supporting socialism, as in 'socialist policies'. As a noun it names a person who supports or advocates socialism, as in 'she is a socialist'.
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