materialistic individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materialistic individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is primarily concerned with material possessions and physical comfort rather than spiritual or intellectual values. Example: "In today's society, being a materialistic individual often leads to a never-ending pursuit of wealth and status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Because materialistic individuals typically exhibit low self-esteem, they may be especially likely to experience higher levels of stress and seek to resolve this stress via maladaptive consumption activities," they wrote in the study.

HuffPost

In those which have, positive associations have been attributed to attempts to satisfy the unmet needs of more materialistic individuals.

BMJ Open

18 It has been suggested that these associations may reflect attempts to satisfy the unmet needs of more materialistic individuals, 15 in a manner akin to self-medication.

BMJ Open

Relationships between smoking and drinking and the Consumer Involvement subscale 'dissatisfaction' support suggestions by other authors that substance use might be an attempt to satisfy the unmet needs of more materialistic individuals.

BMJ Open

As a result, the number of PBO members increased from 1,200 in 2004 to 4,000 in 200639, and more than 11,000 in [End Page 369] 2008.40 In fact, by exploiting individual materialistic motivations, the regime was able to co-opt many Iranian instructors and professors at universities and incorporate them into the PBO.

Johns Hopkins University

Funerary architecture is produced by societies whose belief in the afterlife is materialistic and by individuals who want to perpetuate and symbolize their temporal importance.

Britannica

Mainstream economic models predict (under a series of assumptions, including that of "materialistic self-interest" of individuals) which type of incentives should be included in the "ideal" contract (for example, piece-rate payments, fixed salary or a mix), applying concepts from institutional economics, such as "high-powered" and "low-powered" incentives [ 15, 16].

Human Resources for Health

They believed their schools were countervailing institutions against an increasingly materialistic and dominant global market culture, individual competitiveness and commodity worship.

The Guardian

In addition, the fact that markets build on self-interest has been said to make individuals more egoistic and materialistic.

SEP

Individuals who give priority to the materialistic approach present more negative evaluations of their QOL.

BMC Nursing

The Bhagavad-gita and countless other wisdom teachings of the bhakti tradition teach us that we are eternally individual spirit souls, currently going through a materialistic bodily experience.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "materialistic individual", ensure the context clearly indicates that the person's primary focus is on material possessions and comfort, rather than spiritual or intellectual values. Avoid using it as a general insult; instead, provide specific examples of their behavior that demonstrate their materialism.

Common error

Avoid assuming that anyone who enjoys nice things is automatically a "materialistic individual". The phrase should be reserved for those whose lives are demonstrably centered around the acquisition and display of wealth and possessions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materialistic individual" functions primarily as a descriptive term, characterizing a person by their values and priorities. Ludwig AI examples shows that it is often used in discussions about consumer behavior, societal values, and individual well-being.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "materialistic individual" is used to describe someone whose primary focus is on acquiring material possessions and wealth. While grammatically correct, Ludwig examples show that the phrase appears to carry slightly negative associations related to consumerism and potentially lower levels of happiness. Ludwig AI confirms this. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is clear and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternative phrases like "consumerist individual" or "wealth-oriented person" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Materialistic person

Replaces "individual" with the more general term "person", keeping the focus on materialism.

Consumerist individual

Substitutes "materialistic" with "consumerist", emphasizing the focus on consuming goods.

Materially-minded person

Replaces "materialistic" with "materially-minded", offering a slightly different phrasing.

Wealth-oriented individual

Focuses on the pursuit of wealth as the primary characteristic.

Possessive person

Highlights the tendency to accumulate and hold onto possessions.

Greedy individual

Implies an excessive desire for material wealth, often at the expense of others.

A person driven by materialism

More descriptive and emphasizes the driving force behind the person's actions.

Someone focused on material gain

Emphasizes the focus on acquiring material possessions.

A person with materialistic values

Highlights the underlying values that prioritize material wealth.

Luxury-loving individual

Highlights a love for luxurious items as a key attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "materialistic individual" in a sentence?

You can use "materialistic individual" to describe someone primarily concerned with material possessions and physical comfort. For example: "The study found that a "materialistic individual" is more likely to experience stress related to financial status."

What are some alternatives to "materialistic individual"?

Alternatives include "consumerist individual", "materially-minded person", or "wealth-oriented individual". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe someone as a "materialistic individual"?

While often used negatively, describing someone as a "materialistic individual" isn't inherently judgmental. It depends on the context and whether the focus on material possessions is presented as problematic or simply a personal preference. However, be mindful of the potential for negative connotations.

What's the difference between a "materialistic individual" and someone who is simply appreciative of nice things?

A "materialistic individual" /s/materialistic+individual prioritizes acquiring and displaying material possessions above other values, deriving their self-worth from these items. Someone appreciative of nice things can enjoy quality goods without making them the central focus of their life or sense of self.