English Reference
Noun

humanism

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈhjuməˌnɪzəm/ UK /hjˈuːmənˌɪzəm/ hu·man·ism UK spelling humanisms

n.a belief that people are the most important thing in the world and that they should be treated with respect and dignity. It focuses on human values and the importance of education and reason.

n.a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, rather than some other thing such as religion or the supernatural. It is often associated with the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.


SIMPLE

The school teaches humanism to help students understand their own values.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect designed the building with humanism in mind, ensuring that the space felt warm and welcoming to everyone.

COMPLEX

The rise of humanism during the Renaissance marked a significant shift from medieval scholasticism, placing the individual's potential and the study of classical texts at the center of intellectual life.


From human + -ism, borrowed from German Humanismus, coined by Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer in 1808.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin German Humanismus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated