populist
Americannoun
-
a supporter or adherent of populism.
-
(initial capital letter) a member of the People's party.
adjective
-
Also populistic. of, relating to, or characteristic of populism or its adherents.
-
(initial capital letter) Also Populistic. of or relating to the People's party.
noun
adjective
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- Populism noun
- anti-populist noun
Etymology
Origin of populist
An Americanism first recorded in 1890–95; from Latin popul(us) “people” ( people, popular ) + -ist
Explanation
Use the noun populist to describe a person — especially a politician or activist — who works to give regular working people a voice in their government. In politics, the word populist refers to someone who puts ordinary people's rights above those of the wealthy and powerful. It is basically a synonym of democrat, which when spelled with a lower-case d is simply a person who believes in democratic principles of rule by the people, freedom, and equality. The root of populist is the Latin word for "people," populus.
Vocabulary lists containing populist
We the People: Popul
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 1, Small-Group Learning
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Content Summary 6.7: Impact of Contemporary Globalization
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With lavish parties, expensive food and top artists and musicians, Coachella 2014 is outsized but still hangs on to some of its populist vibe.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
It was a major cultural change for someone who had come up on the British populist right, as the restaurant attracted patrons interested in blockchain and not just in Brexit.
From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026
Mojtaba's name first entered the public spotlight during the 2005 presidential election, which resulted in the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a populist hardliner.
From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026
But the resounding victory Tuesday of state Rep. James Talarico, a Bible-quoting economic populist, has changed the equation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
Indeed, it is possible to date the chasm that was to develop between the populist mainstream and the classical avant-garde in music to this place and time.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
