consumerism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A materialistic attachment to possessions with a heavy use of consumables; a lifestyle based on such tendencies.
  2. An economic theory that increased consumption is beneficial to a nation's economy in the long run.
  3. A policy or social movement of protecting and informing consumers through honesty in advertising and packaging, as well as improved safety standards, among other measures.

Pronunciation

/kənˈsumərɪzm̩/ /kənˈsjumərɪzm̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-consumerism.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-consumerism.wav

Word forms

consumerism consumerisms

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub- Proto-Indo-European *h₁em-der. Proto-Italic *emō Latin emō Latin sūmō Latin cōnsūmōder. Old French consumerbor. Middle English consumen English consume Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āsjos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English consumer Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English consumerism From consumer + -ism.

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