Materialism

Pronunciation: /məˈtɪriəˌlɪzəm/

Definitions of materialism

noun the belief that only physical matter exists

Example Sentences

A1 Materialism is the belief that possessions and physical comforts are the most important things in life.

A2 Some people think that materialism leads to a shallow and unfulfilling existence.

B1 The rise of consumerism in society has been linked to an increase in materialism.

B2 Materialism can sometimes overshadow more meaningful aspects of life, such as relationships and personal growth.

C1 Critics argue that materialism contributes to environmental degradation and social inequality.

C2 In philosophical debates, the concept of materialism is often contrasted with idealism and dualism.

Examples of materialism in a Sentence

formal The philosopher argued that materialism is a shallow way of viewing the world.

informal Some people are obsessed with materialism and always want the latest gadgets.

slang I'm so over all this materialism, let's just chill and enjoy life.

figurative His materialism blinded him to the true beauty of nature.

Grammatical Forms of materialism

• past tense: materialized
• plural: materialisms
• comparative: more materialistic
• superlative: most materialistic
• present tense: materializes
• future tense: will materialize
• perfect tense: has materialized
• continuous tense: is materializing
• singular: materialism
• positive degree: materialistic
• infinitive: to materialize
• gerund: materializing
• participle: materialized

Origin and Evolution of materialism

First Known Use: 1747 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'materialism' originated from the Latin word 'materialis', which means 'pertaining to matter'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in philosophy to describe the belief that only physical matter exists and that everything can be explained in terms of material causes, the term 'materialism' has evolved to also refer to a focus on material possessions and wealth in modern consumer culture.