Paradigm Shift
noun /ˈpær.ə.daɪm ʃɪft/ — A fundamental change in the underlying assumptions of a field or worldview.
Definition
A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions — the kind of shift that changes not just what we know but how we think about knowing. Coined by philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn to describe revolutions in scientific frameworks.
Beyond the definition
A paradigm shift is not a new answer — it is a new question. The old framework doesn't just get updated; it gets replaced. Everything that seemed obvious is suddenly understood to have been an assumption.
Origin & history
Greek: 'paradeigma' (pattern, example). Introduced into academic discourse by Thomas Kuhn in 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' (1962). Became popular in business and culture as a metaphor for any large change in thinking.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The discovery of heliocentrism was a paradigm shift: not just a new fact, but a new way of seeing our place in the universe.
The internet was a paradigm shift in communication — not just faster letters, but a fundamentally new relationship with information.
Sometimes a single conversation can be a paradigm shift — you see the world differently afterward, and can't unsee it.
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 “Paradigm Shift” when the meaning fits your context: A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions — the kind of shift that changes not just what we know but how we think about knowing. Coined by philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn to describe revolutions in scientific frameworks.
Synonyms
revolution, sea change, transformation, new framework
Antonyms
incrementalism, continuity, tradition
Related words
Paradigm Shift vs transformation
Transformation is a change in form or character. A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the underlying logic, theories, or framework that dictates how we see the world.
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
Debate at Crossroads
Two adults stand at a crossroads in a dense woods, each pointing toward paths leading into light and shadow.
The fundamental disagreement between the two figures at the crossroads represents a paradigm shift—a moment where their underlying assumptions about how to navigate the world clash, requiring a transition to a new framework.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Paradigm Shift" mean?
Paradigm Shift is noun meaning: A fundamental change in the underlying assumptions of a field or worldview.. A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions — the kind of shift that changes not just what we know but how we think about knowing. Coined by philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn to describe revolutions in scientific frameworks.
Where does the word "Paradigm Shift" come from?
Greek: 'paradeigma' (pattern, example). Introduced into academic discourse by Thomas Kuhn in 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' (1962). Became popular in business and culture as a metaphor for any large change in thinking.