anomie

or an·o·my

[ an-uh-mee ]

noun

, Sociology.

1. a state or condition of individuals or society characterized by a breakdown or absence of social norms and values, as in the case of uprooted people.

anomie

/ ˈænəʊmɪ; əˈnɒmɪk /

noun

1. sociol lack of social or moral standards in an individual or society

Derived Forms

• anomic, adjective

Other Words From

• a·nom·ic [uh, -, nom, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anomie¹

1930–35; < French < Greek anomía lawlessness. See a- ⁶, -nomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of anomie¹

from Greek anomia lawlessness, from a- ¹+ nomos law

Example Sentences

When they took out Mubarak, this went the opposite extreme to almost anomie, normlessness.

From Freakonomics

Media-cuddling can be a kiss-of-anomie for women on the cusp of cool.

From The Daily Beast