chauvinism

American  

[shoh-vuh-niz-uhm] / ˈʃoʊ vəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory.

2. biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause.

   religious chauvinism.

3. the denigration, disparagement, and patronization of a particular gender based on the belief that one gender is inferior to another and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.

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chauvinism British  

/ ˈʃəʊvɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. aggressive or fanatical patriotism; jingoism

2. enthusiastic devotion to a cause

3. smug irrational belief in the superiority of one's own race, party, sex, etc

   male chauvinism

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chauvinism Cultural  

1. Exaggerated belief in the supremacy of one's nation, class, caste, or group. Chauvinism usually involves xenophobia.

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Discover More

The word chauvinism is often used as shorthand for “male chauvinism,” a term describing the attitudes of men who believe that women are inferior and should not be given equal status with men. (See also feminism (see also feminism).)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• chauvinistically
  adverb
• chauvinist
  noun
• chauvinistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of chauvinism

First recorded in 1865–70; from French chauvinisme, equivalent to chauvin “jingo” (named after N. Chauvin, a soldier in Napoleon's army noted for loud-mouthed patriotism) + -isme -ism

Explanation

Chauvinism means the belief that your country is superior to all others. If you traveled to China and complained about everything that was unfamiliar and talked about how much better things are back home, you'd be guilty of chauvinism. While the main meaning of chauvinism is an exaggerated sense of patriotism, or being convinced that your country is vastly better than any other, the word is most familiar in the sense of male chauvinism. When it's used this way, it means a belief that men are better than women. The word comes from a Napoleonic soldier, Nicholas Chauvin, who was famous for his extreme patriotism — in other words, his chauvinism.

Example Sentences

Chauvinism, in all its sexual as well as racial aspects, is the real enemy of all men and women who seek the one security that is viable—community—and the one freedom that is transcendant—individuation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Chauvinism and self- satirization are twinned in the Texas character.

From Time Magazine Archive

Korda's only previous book, published in 1973, was called Male Chauvinism!

From Time Magazine Archive

There was not a trace of Chauvinism in his citation of the simple and downright message sent by the Pucelle to the English before Orléans.

From France and the Republic A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889 by Hurlbert, William Henry

It can be seen in what the French call Chauvinism and we call Jingoism.

From The Appetite of Tyranny Including Letters to an Old Garibaldian by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

Related Words

• fanaticism
• jingoism
• nationalism