humanism

CEFRB2

/ˈhjuːmənɪz(ə)m/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A system of thought focused on human values and reason.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    An ethical system that centers on humans and their values, needs, interests, abilities, dignity and freedom; especially used for a secular one which rejects theistic religion and superstition.

Examples

  • The poet always takes account of humanism before everything.

  • Juan put aside his humanism.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1
Synonyms
3

Also pronounced

  • /ˈhjumənɪz(ə)m/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings
  1. Specifically, a cultural and intellectual movement in 14th-16th century Europe characterised by attention to classical culture and a promotion of vernacular texts, notably during the Renaissance.

  2. The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship.

More examples

In context
  • Near-synonyms: solidarity, philanthropy, generosity

  • There were good reasons for humanism and the Renaissance to take their origins from fourteenth-century Italy.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Many Renaissance thinkers embraced blank, a philosophy that focused on human potential.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From human + -ism, borrowed from German Humanismus, coined by Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer in 1808.