Materialism
noun /məˈtɪərɪəlɪzəm/ — The belief that matter is all — and in its cultural form, the valuing of possessions above all else.
Definition
The theory or doctrine that physical matter is the only reality and that all being and processes are caused by material agencies; the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.
Beyond the definition
Materialism has two very different conversations: the philosophical one (matter is fundamental) and the cultural one (possessions are what matter). Both are connected — they share an assumption about what is real and what counts.
Origin & history
From material (Latin materia: matter, wood, stuff) + -ism. The philosophy of matter — the belief that the primary stuff of reality is the physical.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her philosophical materialism and her cultural anti-materialism sat in uneasy coexistence.
Scientific materialism is not a moral position; cultural materialism often is.
Marx gave materialism a historical argument: the economic base shapes the ideological superstructure.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Materialism” when the meaning fits your context: The theory or doctrine that physical matter is the only reality and that all being and processes are caused by material agencies; the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.
Synonyms
physicalism, empiricism, pragmatism, consumerism
Antonyms
idealism, spiritualism, asceticism
Related words
Materialism vs idealism
Materialism holds that physical matter is the fundamental substance of reality. Idealism maintains that reality is mentally constructed or rooted in non-physical ideas.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Reflecting on Material Excess
A person looks between a reusable bag and a pile of unnecessary plastic-wrapped items at a table, looking visibly uncomfortable and reflective.
The tension between the reusable bag and the excess of plastic-wrapped purchases illustrates a materialist critique, focusing on the conflict between valuing physical, material convenience and acknowledging the ecological impact of prioritizing such possessions over more sustainable or spiritual considerations.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Materialism" mean?
Materialism is noun meaning: The belief that matter is all — and in its cultural form, the valuing of possessions above all else.. The theory or doctrine that physical matter is the only reality and that all being and processes are caused by material agencies; the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.
Where does the word "Materialism" come from?
From material (Latin materia: matter, wood, stuff) + -ism. The philosophy of matter — the belief that the primary stuff of reality is the physical.