Ism Meaning
/ˈɪz.əm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn ideology, system of thought, or practice that can be described by a word ending in -ism.
nounAn ideology, system of thought, or practice that can be described by a word ending in -ism., A form of discrimination, such as racism or sexism.
Sentence Examples
The political ism was a topic of debate among scholars.
The artist's work reflected their unique ism and style.
She rejects any ism that limits personal freedom.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The political ____ called Marxism argues that workers should control production.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Materialism is an ____ that suggests that wealth and physical possessions are the most important things in life.
Word Origin & History
From the suffix -ism (“belief”), particularly (in the 19th century) in the sense of "social movement". Compare phobia, from -phobia, sophy, from -sophy, itis, from -itis, and ana, from -ana.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] his religion, his worship was like his daily bread to him; — which he did not take the trouble to talk much about; which he merely ate at stated intervals, and lived and did his work upon! This is Abbot Samson’s Catholicism of the Twelfth Century; — something like the Ism of all true men in all true centuries, I fancy! Alas, compared with any of the Isms current in these poor days, what a thing!"
— 1843, Thomas Carlyle, chapter XV, in Past and Present, book 2:
"If it gives way to sentimentalism, or sensibility, or political mysticism, or adopts an affectation of radicalism, or any other ism, or molds its institutions so as to round out to a more complete fulfillment somebody's theory of the universe, it may fall into an era of revolution and political insecurity […]"
— 1887 August, W[illiam] G[raham] Sumner, “State Interference”, in North American Review:
"An ism does not have to possess the fearful implements of state power to cut off a deviant or heretical member."
— 1965, Bertram David Wolfe, Marxism, One Hundred Years in the Life of a Doctrine, page 357:
"In his exposition, he has failed to achieve the identification of situation, theory, and policy necessary to create an ism."
— 1969, Walter E. Minchinton, Mercantilism; System Or Expediency?, page xi:
"Isms in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an ism – he should believe in himself."
— 1986, John Hughes, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, spoken by Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick):
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The political ____ called Marxism argues that workers should control production.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Materialism is an ____ that suggests that wealth and physical possessions are the most important things in life.