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individualism

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Individualism is defined as the distinctive qualities that make you who you are, or self-reliance, or a political system that focuses on each person having freedom to act.

(noun)

Your distinctive personality quirks and unique sense of humor are an example of your individualism.
When you support yourself financially and do not depend on anyone else for your needs, this is an example of individualism.
When the government allows citizens to be responsible for their own retirement instead of relying on social security, this is an example of individualism.

See individualism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

individual character; individuality
an individual peculiarity
the doctrine that individual freedom in economic enterprise should not be restricted by governmental or social regulation; laissez faire
the doctrine that the state exists for the individual and not the individual for the state
the doctrine that self-interest is the proper goal of all human actions; egoism
1. action based on any of these doctrines
2. the leading of one's life in one's own way without conforming to prevailing patterns

Origin: Fr individualisme

Related Forms:

individualist noun, adjective
individualistic adjective

See individualism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence.
b. Acts or an act based on this belief.
a. A doctrine advocating freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of a person's economic goals.
b. A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group.
a. The quality of being an individual; individuality.
b. An individual characteristic; a quirk.

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