Luddite

[ luhd-ahyt ]

noun

1. a member of any of various bands of workers in England (1811–16) organized to destroy manufacturing machinery, under the belief that its use diminished employment.
2. someone who is opposed or resistant to new technologies or technological change.

Luddite

/ ˈlʌdaɪt /

noun

1. any of the textile workers opposed to mechanization who rioted and organized machine-breaking between 1811 and 1816
2. any opponent of industrial change or innovation

adjective

1. of or relating to the Luddites

Derived Forms

• ˈLuddism, noun

Other Words From

• Luddism Luddit·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Luddite¹

First recorded in 1805–15; supposedly after Ned Ludd, 18th-century Leicestershire worker who in a fit of rage destroyed mechanical knitting machines; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Luddite¹

C19: alleged to be named after Ned Ludd, an 18th-century Leicestershire workman, who destroyed industrial machinery

Example Sentences

But before this renaissance, he predicted a “Luddite movement” against new technology that would destroy millions of jobs and monopolise the global economy.

From BBC

Mr Jack described himself as a "bit of a Luddite", adding: "If I could turn the clock back knowing what I know now, I would have sought a different solution for my lack of storage capacity."

From BBC

In other words, he’s the opposite of a Luddite.

From Los Angeles Times

My 25-year-old works in tech and I am referred to as the Luddite, but here are a few things I would love to see:

From Los Angeles Times

"I don't want to come across as a luddite or being anti-progress or anything, because I sincerely hope I'm not, but I think the myth of the driverless car has gone a bit out of control," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• neophobe
• technophobe