materialism
muh-TEER-ee-uh-liz-uhm
/məˈtɪə.ri.ə.lɪ.zəm/
A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual, moral, or intellectual values.
Focuses on personal values and mindsets that place physical objects at the center of personal worth and satisfaction.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'materia' (building material or substance). In the 18th century, it moved from philosophical theories of physical matter to describe excessive love of physical goods.
Word relationships
- possessiveness: Possessiveness is holding onto what one owns, while materialism is prioritizing physical items above non-physical values.
- spirituality: Spirituality prioritizes inner, non-material well-being over physical possessions.
Commonly confused with
- consumerism: Consumerism is an economic behavior pattern; materialism is a core value orientation.
Word family
- materialist (noun): A person devoted to material wealth.
- materialistic (adjective): Excessively concerned with physical wealth.
Collocations
- gross materialism
- growing materialism
- reject materialism
- culture of materialism
Example sentences
- "Her dedication to charity stood in sharp contrast to the shallow materialism of her peers." Cultural Critique
Memory hook
MATERIAL is all that matters to a materialism fanatic. Value put only in matter.
When not to use
In philosophy, materialism refers to the belief that matter is the fundamental substance in nature; do not confuse philosophical materialism with ethical or social materialism.
Fun facts
- Philosophical materialism claims thoughts are just physical brain movements, unrelated to shopping preferences.
Related words
Explore more words
materiality, objectification, corporeal, riches, worldly, nihilism
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