individualism

American  

[in-duh-vij-oo-uh-liz-uhm] / ˌɪn dəˈvɪdʒ u əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual.

2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.

3. the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests; egoism.

4. individual character; individuality.

5. an individual peculiarity.

6. Philosophy.

   1. the doctrine that only individual things are real.

   2. the doctrine or belief that all actions are determined by, or at least take place for, the benefit of the individual, not of society as a whole.

---

individualism British  

/ ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the action or principle of asserting one's independence and individuality; egoism

2. an individual quirk or peculiarity

3. another word for laissez faire

4. philosophy the doctrine that only individual things exist and that therefore classes or properties have no reality Compare Platonism realism

---

individualism Cultural  

1. A view that stresses the importance and worth of each person. In economics, it is the doctrine that individuals best serve the public interest by pursuing their own self-interest. For example, the businessman who expands his company to increase his profits also creates jobs for many people and thereby serves the public interest. (See laissez-faire.)

---

Other Word Forms

• overindividualism noun
• superindividualism noun

Etymology

Origin of individualism

First recorded in 1825–35; individual + -ism

Example Sentences

And even if rugged individualism was his brand, he still existed in a world that defined him and which is largely left on the margins here.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

So I’ll leave us with a bit of his advice for the future: “Be agents of communion, capable of breaking down the logic of division and polarization, of individualism and egocentrism.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2025

Solo travel bookings on platforms like Trip.com Group rose over 20% year-over-year in 2024, reflecting a shift towards individualism.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

That's where individualism stops, out of the car.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

He lost his wife and son to an epidemic carried by the soldiery, his royal patron was deposed, and he was excommunicated by the Lutheran Church for his uncompromising individualism on matters of doctrine.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• individuality