individualist

American  

[in-duh-vij-oo-uh-list] / ˌɪn dəˈvɪdʒ u ə lɪst /

noun

1. a person who shows great independence or individuality in thought or action.

2. an advocate of individualism.

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Other Word Forms

• individualistic adjective
• superindividualist noun

Etymology

Origin of individualist

First recorded in 1830–40; individual + -ist

Example Sentences

The rugged individualists’ arguments run the gamut from a sincere nostalgia — many chairs designed and installed in the 20th century didn’t even have safety bars, they note — to the intentionally absurd.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm an individualist. Always been. Always will be!"

From Barron's

So much so that we have names for the type: maverick, individualist, iconoclast, dissenter, rebel, freethinker.

From The Wall Street Journal

Part of his appeal also stems from his individualist candor and public distrust of institutions.

From The Wall Street Journal

"How do a bunch of individualists and contrarians actually get on with running stuff?" asked one Labour source I was talking to.

From BBC