individualistic

[ in-duh-vij-oo-uh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. prioritizing the pursuit of individual interests or rights rather than common or collective ones:

   In our culture we seem to be moving toward a predominantly individualistic mindset, where egoism is in and altruism is out.

2. showing great independence or individuality in thought or action:

   Never has the nation produced a more brilliantly argumentative, individualistic, or opinionated group of politicians than our founders.

3. Philosophy. of or relating to a belief that all actions are determined by, or for the benefit of, the individual, not society as a whole:

   The attempt to construct a new social order on the basis of individualistic doctrine was bound to fail, because the shared customs and practices that make up the common life of society are too valuable.

Other Words From

• in·di·vid·u·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb
• non·in·di·vid·u·al·is·tic adjective
• o·ver·in·di·vid·u·al·is·tic adjective
• o·ver·in·di·vid·u·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of individualistic¹

individualist ( def ) + -ic

Example Sentences

It is also clear to people from other cultures that Americans can be relatively loud, expect things to be given to them, and are pushy and individualistic.

From Salon

While often individualistic in its gaze — used to craft one’s own identity — fashion, in all its ubiquity, also represents shared experience, from the initial design inspiration, to the hands that made it, to the dreams and fantasies we project onto our wardrobes, and their ultimate lived experience.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's something that has already had influence over the past few years - the team always looking for him and also the individualistic way that he approaches this situation," Cunha said.

From BBC

Instead, Gray used the Little Orphan Annie comics to spread the gospel of self-reliance and stick-to-it-iveness—in other words, the individualistic American Dream.

From Slate

When we touch into it, we can see that the structure of our individualistic society creates real barriers to meaningful relationships, making it even more difficult to challenge the voices that say we’ll struggle with disconnection for life.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• self-absorbed
• selfish