individualism

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: in=di=vid=u=al=ism

CIDE DICTIONARY

individualism, n. [Cf. F. individualisme.].

•  The quality of being individual; individuality; personality.  [1913 Webster]
•  An excessive or exclusive regard to one's personal interest; self-interest; selfishness.  [1913 Webster]

  "The selfishness of the small proprietor has been described by the best writers as individualism."  [1913 Webster]
•  The principle, policy, or practice of maintaining individuality, or independence of the individual, in action; the theory or practice of maintaining the independence of individual initiative, action, and interests, as in industrial organization or in government.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

individualism, n.
1 the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant.
2 a social theory favouring the free action of individuals.
3 self-centred feeling or conduct; egoism.

Derivative

individualist n. individualistic adj. individualistically adv.

THESAURUS

individualism

Declaration of Independence, acquisitiveness, animus, aptitude, aroma, attribute, autarchy, autarky, autism, autonomy, badge, bent, bias, brand, cachet, capitalism, capitalistic system, careerism, cast, character, characteristic, complexion, configuration, constitution, cut, diathesis, differentia, differential, differentiation, differentness, disposition, distinctive feature, distinctiveness, earmark, eccentricity, ego, ego trip, egocentricity, egocentrism, egohood, egoism, egoisticalness, egotism, egotisticalness, feature, figure, finance capitalism, flavor, free economy, free enterprise, free-enterprise economy, free-enterprise system, grain, graspingness, greed, gust, hallmark, home rule, human factor, humor, identity, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, impress, impression, inclination, independence, index, individuality, inner-direction, integrity, interest, keynote, kidney, laissez-faire, laissez-faireism, leaning, lineaments, make, makeup, mannerism, mark, marking, mental set, mettle, mind, mind-set, mold, narcissism, nature, nominalism, nonconformity, odor, oneness, particularism, particularity, peculiarity, personal aims, personal ambition, personal desires, personal equation, personal identity, personalism, personality, personship, possessiveness, predilection, predisposition, preference, private enterprise, private ownership, private sector, privatism, proclivity, propensity, property, quality, quirk, remoteness, rugged individualism, savor, seal, self-absorption, self-admiration, self-advancement, self-centeredness, self-centerment, self-consideration, self-containment, self-determination, self-devotion, self-direction, self-esteem, self-government, self-identity, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-interestedness, self-jealousy, self-occupation, self-pleasing, self-reliance, self-seeking, self-serving, self-solicitude, self-sufficiency, selfhood, selfishness, selfism, selfness, set, shape, singularity, slant, smack, soul, specialty, stamp, state capitalism, strain, streak, stripe, taint, tang, taste, temper, temperament, tendency, token, trait, trick, turn, turn of mind, twist, type, uniqueness, warp