noun · academic
materialism
UK/məˌtɪəriəˈlɪzəm/US/məˌtɪriəˈlɪzəm/ma·te·RI·a·lism
a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual or ethical values
Examples
“Critics argue that rampant materialism harms community values.”
“The rise of consumer culture is often linked to increasing materialism.”
“Materialism doesn't necessarily bring happiness, despite higher incomes.”
Band 8 sentence
“Debates about materialism often focus on whether economic growth should be measured solely by GDP or also by well‑being indicators.”
Collocations
- rise of materialism
- materialistic values
- criticise materialism
Word family
Common mistakes
She is very materialism.→She is very materialistic.
Many materialisms exist in modern society.→There are many manifestations of materialism in modern society.
Say it for a higher band
5love of money→6consumerism→7+materialism
Synonyms
consumerism
Easily confused
consumerism
“The growth of consumerism has changed people's priorities.”
Related words
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In -ism
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