individualistic

[in-duh-vij-oo-uh-lis-tik]

adjective

1. prioritizing the pursuit of individual interests or rights rather than common or collective ones.

   In our culture we seem to be moving toward a predominantly individualistic mindset, where egoism is in and altruism is out.

2. showing great independence or individuality in thought or action.

   Never has the nation produced a more brilliantly argumentative, individualistic, or opinionated group of politicians than our founders.

3. Philosophy.,  of or relating to a belief that all actions are determined by, or for the benefit of, the individual, not society as a whole.

   The attempt to construct a new social order on the basis of individualistic doctrine was bound to fail, because the shared customs and practices that make up the common life of society are too valuable.

Other Word Forms

• individualistically adverb
• nonindividualistic adjective
• overindividualistic adjective
• overindividualistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of individualistic¹

individualist ( def. ) + -ic

Example Sentences

I don’t know if everybody wants to be that individualistic.

From Los Angeles Times

Modern parenting can be isolating — now more intense and more individualistic than ever with hyper-scheduled monitoring of children’s every milestone and moment.

From Los Angeles Times

People working towards change quickly saw that white fragility’s fury and retribution are as systemic as they are individualistic.

From Salon

It's the most individualistic of all Western nations.

From Salon

It is also clear to people from other cultures that Americans can be relatively loud, expect things to be given to them, and are pushy and individualistic.

From Salon

Related Words

• self-absorbed 
• selfish