materialistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materialistic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is overly concerned with material possessions or physical comfort rather than spiritual or intellectual values. Example: "His materialistic attitude often led him to prioritize wealth over relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such physiological investigation into the sense organs may initially look favourable for the materialists, in that it promises to give us a materialistic account of our knowledge of the world.

SEP

In the classical and mediaeval periods, it was the intellect that was thought to be most obviously resistant to a materialistic account: from Descartes on, the main stumbling block to materialist monism was supposed to be 'consciousness', of which phenomenal consciousness or sensation came to be considered as the paradigm instance.

SEP

By 1933, Adams was writing in the New York Times of the way the American dream had been hijacked: "Throughout our history, the pure gold of this vision has been heavily alloyed with the dross of materialistic aims.

The Guardian - Books

Christmas is a time to show your love in a totally materialistic way – with gifts.

The Guardian

Our political apathy, our materialistic obsession with property ownership, our disinclination to pursue alternative lifestyles all explain why communes and squats are in decline.

The Guardian - Opinion

They're self-interested, they're materialistic, they're insular and they would literally rather go to the toilet on themselves than share anything of theirs with anyone.

The Guardian

I'd convinced myself that I was not particularly materialistic.

The Guardian

At first glance crassly materialistic, this equation can also describe Buddha-like levels of serenity.

The Economist

There is a grain of truth in the conventional view that the Czechs are more rational and materialistic than the pious, passionate Slovaks.

The Economist

This is an ambitious book, offering an analysis of the failures of academic economics and a call for a more inclusive, less materialistic society.

The Economist

It is huge, diverse, secular (though its people are religious), materialistic, largely tolerant and proudly democratic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a society or culture, use "materialistic" to highlight its emphasis on consumer goods and wealth accumulation over spiritual or intellectual pursuits.

Common error

Avoid using "materialistic" when you mean "practical" or "realistic". "Materialistic" implies a value judgment about prioritizing material possessions, while "practical" simply means effective or useful.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "materialistic" functions primarily to describe someone or something characterized by a focus on material possessions and physical comfort. As shown by Ludwig, it can modify nouns like 'aims', 'obsession', or 'society'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "materialistic" is an adjective used to describe an excessive concern with material possessions or a philosophical viewpoint focused on matter. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in various contexts like News & Media and Science. While synonyms like "consumerist" and "worldly" exist, it's important to avoid confusing it with "practical". The consistent usage and authoritative sources confirm its accepted role in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumerist

Focuses more on the act of consuming goods.

worldly

Implies experience and sophistication, potentially including material wealth.

mercenary

Suggests a primary motivation of financial gain.

acquisitive

Highlights the desire to acquire possessions.

greedy

Conveys a strong and selfish desire for wealth.

possessive

Emphasizes ownership and control of material items.

capitalistic

Relates to an economic system focused on capital accumulation.

physicalist

Refers to a philosophical view that everything is physical.

earthly

Focuses on the tangible aspects of life.

temporal

Emphasizes the limited duration and material nature of worldly existence.

FAQs

How can I use "materialistic" in a sentence?

You can use "materialistic" to describe someone excessively concerned with material possessions, as in: "He had a very "materialistic" outlook on life." It can also describe a society or culture.

What are some synonyms for "materialistic"?

Alternatives to "materialistic" include "consumerist", "worldly", and "acquisitive", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "materialistic"?

While often used with negative connotations, describing something as "materialistic" is primarily descriptive. It indicates a focus on material possessions and may not always imply disapproval.

What's the difference between "materialistic" and "material"?

"Material" refers to physical matter or objects. "Materialistic", on the other hand, describes an attitude or worldview that prioritizes material possessions and wealth over other values.