Materialistic: meaning, definitions and examples
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materialistic
[ məˌtɪə.riˈæl.ɪs.tɪk ]
philosophical view
Materialistic refers to a belief system that values material possessions and physical comfort as the highest good. In a broader sense, it can describe someone who prioritizes material wealth over spiritual or intellectual pursuits.
Synonyms
avaricious, consumerist, greedy.
Examples of usage
- Her materialistic outlook often led to dissatisfaction.
- Society's materialistic values can overshadow deeper human connections.
- He criticized the materialistic nature of modern culture.
Translations
Translations of the word "materialistic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 materialista
🇮🇳 भौतिकवादी
🇩🇪 materialistisch
🇮🇩 materialistis
🇺🇦 матеріалістичний
🇵🇱 materialistyczny
🇯🇵 物質主義的な
🇫🇷 matérialiste
🇪🇸 materialista
🇹🇷 maddesel
🇰🇷 물질주의적인
🇸🇦 مادي
🇨🇿 materialistický
🇸🇰 materialistický
🇨🇳 唯物主义的
🇸🇮 materialističen
🇮🇸 efnislegur
🇰🇿 материалистік
🇬🇪 მასალისტური
🇦🇿 materialist
🇲🇽 materialista
Etymology
The term 'materialistic' traces its etymology back to the Latin root 'materia,' meaning matter or substance. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century, deriving from the philosophical discussions of materialism. Philosophers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels debated ideas around materialism, contrasting it with idealism, which emphasizes ideas and consciousness. Over time, 'materialistic' evolved to encompass both philosophical and everyday contexts, often describing a fixation on wealth and physical pleasures in contemporary society. It has come to represent a critique of values that prioritize possessions over more meaningful experiences and relationships, reflecting a cultural shift toward consumerism.