nominalism

[ nom-uh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. (in medieval philosophy) the doctrine that general or abstract words do not stand for objectively existing entities and that universals are no more than names assigned to them. Compare conceptualism, realism ( def 5a ).

nominalism

/ ˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the philosophical theory that the variety of objects to which a single general word, such as dog, applies have nothing in common but the name Compare conceptualism realism

Derived Forms

• ˈnominalist, nounadjective
• ˌnominalˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• nomi·nal·ist noun
• nomi·nal·istic adjective
• nomi·nal·isti·cal·ly adverb
• nonnom·i·nal·istic adjective
• unnom·i·nal·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominalism¹

From the French word nominalisme, dating back to 1830–40. See nominal, -ism

Example Sentences

If trope nominalism is the correct metaphysics, there are no universals but only particulars that have typical or tropic properties.

From Scientific American

Duchamp established the nominalism of art and changed the question from “what is art?” to “is it interesting?”

From New York Times

Such is the magnitude of these situations and their toll in innocent lives, that we must avoid every temptation to fall into a declarationist nominalism which would assuage our consciences.

From Los Angeles Times

It is not worth while to follow out the errors which arose in the middle ages from nominalism.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet what could nominalism do for theology, or for clerical schools?

From Project Gutenberg