individualist
/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-list -ˈvij-wə-, -ˈvi-jə-list/ (ame, mw)
individualist — noun
- individualistsingular
- individualistsplural
1. a person whose habits, taste, or way of doing things clearly stand apart from th
a person whose habits, taste, or way of doing things clearly stand apart from the people around them, and who prefers it that way.
Aoi was an individualist who wore bright orange boots to every business meeting in Tokyo.
be + an individualist + relative clause describing the unusual habit
The painter Vikram considered himself an individualist and refused to join any art movement.
consider oneself an individualist
Real individualists rarely follow fashion trends and instead invent their own style of dress.
Even as a child, Adisa was such an individualist that she taught herself three musical instruments alone.
Bao left the firm because the office culture had no room for individualists.
- nonconformist
stresses refusal to follow group norms; slightly more political tone
- free spirit
informal; warmer, suggests playful independence
- maverick
often used in professional contexts for someone who breaks ranks
- conformist
someone who follows the group without question
- follower
general term for someone who takes the lead from others
文法句型
a/an + individualist
be an individualist
用法筆記
Often used with a positive or admiring tone, signalling creative independence rather than mere oddness. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes personal style and behaviour, not a political belief.
常見錯誤
2. a person who holds the political view that each citizen, not the state, should d
a person who holds the political view that each citizen, not the state, should decide how to live their own life.
As a lifelong individualist, Christopher voted against every law that expanded government welfare programmes.
as a lifelong individualist + main clause showing the belief in action
The new senator was an individualist who believed taxes should fall and personal freedoms should grow.
be an individualist who believed + that-style content
American frontier settlers are often described as rugged individualists who distrusted central authority.
Élise argued, as a committed individualist, that the school should not require uniforms for all students.
Many individualists oppose any law that tells adults what food or medicine they may use.
- libertarian
narrower; specifically about minimal government
- classical liberal
formal; emphasises individual rights and free markets
- collectivist
someone who believes the group's needs come before the individual's
- statist
formal; supports a strong, active government role
文法句型
be an individualist
as an individualist
用法筆記
Frequently appears in writing about political philosophy, libertarianism, and economic policy. Subject is typically a person whose stated political identity centres on personal freedom. Distinguish from sense 1: a person can be an individualist in dress and habit (sense 1) without holding any political view.