materialism
UK/mә'tiәriәlizm/US
B2
Definitions
n.
A tendency to value money and possessions more than spiritual or intellectual things
物质主义，拜金主义
n.
(philosophy) the belief that only physical matter exists and that mind and spirit arise from it
（哲学）唯物主义
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmaterialmother; matter, material, substance
+
-ismdoctrine, belief, practice
=materialism
material (matter, physical stuff) + -ism (doctrine/tendency) = 'a focus on matter.' Two registers: in everyday life, prizing physical possessions over inner values (consumer materialism); in philosophy, the doctrine that nothing exists but matter (materialism vs idealism).
Example Sentences
- 1.
He criticized the rampant materialism of modern consumer culture.
- 2.
Marxist philosophy is grounded in dialectical materialism.
- 3.
Their lifestyle reflected a deep materialism she couldn't share.