Word
materialism
Phoneticsma·te·ri·al·ism
US/məˈtɪɹiəˌɫɪzəm/
UK/mətˈiəɹɪəlˌɪzəm/
Definitions
01focus on possessions
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the belief that money, clothes, and cars are more important than spiritual or mental values.
n. a preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects and physical comfort over spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.
“Many people criticize modern materialism and the constant pressure to buy new things.”
“The rise of consumer materialism in the post-war era led to a significant shift in how families defined success and social status.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02philosophical theory
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical
n. the theory that only physical matter exists and there is no soul or spirit.
n. the philosophical theory that nothing exists except matter and its movements and modifications.
“In his philosophy class, they debated whether materialism can explain human consciousness.”
“Scientific materialism posits that all phenomena, including mental states and consciousness, are the results of material interactions.”
Synonyms
Usage
Typically used in a critical or evaluative sense when describing social behavior.
Etymology
Borrowed from French matérialisme. By surface analysis, material + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/materialism