materialist

[muh-teer-ee-uh-list]

noun

1. a person who is markedly more concerned with material things than with spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.

2. an adherent of philosophical materialism.

adjective

1. concerned with material things; materialistic.

2. of or relating to philosophical materialism or its adherents.

Other Word Forms

• materialistic adjective
• antimaterialist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of materialist¹

From the New Latin word māteriālista, dating back to 1660–70. See material, -ist

Example Sentences

Balancing this is the show’s caustic tut-tutting at materialists for wanting these baubles in the first place.

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Rastafari reject materialist values and often practice a strict oneness with nature.

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At the same time, the platforms attract materialists anyway, as they are a perfect way to satisfy many materialistic needs.

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In 1967, Mr. Celant noticed that some members of the postwar generation of young artists were using humor, provocation and unconventional materials to rebel against both older artistic orthodoxies and materialist pop culture.

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In “Garden,” she questions the power she ascribed to materialist totems— like a wedding, a house and a garden— to bring her happiness.

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Related Words

• agnostic 
• cynic 
• dissenter 
• doubter www.thesaurus.com
• pessimist 
• questioner www.thesaurus.com