Noun: individualism ,in-du'vi-joo-u,li-zum
- The quality of being individual
"so absorbed by the movement that she lost all sense of individualism";
- individuality, individuation
- A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence
"American culture often emphasizes individualism over collectivism"
- The doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs
"Pure individualism was the guiding principle of his economic theories";
- laissez faire
Derived forms: individualisms
See also: case-by-case, individual, item-by-item, single
Type of: belief, doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, trait
Antonym: commonality
Encyclopedia: Individualism