technology averse

USAGE SUMMARY

"technology averse" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means to have a fear or dislike of advanced technology. For example, "The elderly couple was technology averse and refused to get a smart phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was a four-week cross-country summer car trip that made me, the technology averse navigator, a G.P.S. believer.

The New York Times - Travel

The company also offers a $6.75 snail-mail version of the app for the technology averse, in which prepaid envelopes send in up to 15 pages of junk mail to be scanned and stopped.

Forbes

BG: We have not been technology averse with this project nor, for that matter, with ZZ Top.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Reiner and Mr. Apatow will try to persuade the technology-averse Mr. Brooks to join Twitter.

The New York Times

Technology-averse, he described it as "The first camera I can recall handling without a certain feeling of distaste.

Independent

Blackboard technology is not particularly complex, which is one reason that some technology-averse professors say they like it.

The New York Times

ocado.com, £15.49 This is the first gadget to catch my technology-averse eye: a simple wooden rolling pin, satisfyingly heavy in beech wood, with a handy ruler guide along the length.

The Guardian - Tech

Many new photographers arrived with their Leicas – "the first camera I can recall handling without a certain feeling of distaste," the technology-averse Hopkins later recalled, adding that "I loved the absence of the requirement for technical perfection".

The Guardian - Arts

It is for people like me, inching toward 50, who are, let us say, not technology-averse, but do not embrace it with the unquestioning love that our children do.

The New York Times - Tech

Although such locutions give "Bet Your Life" a caustic edge, there is something mollifying in the way Mr. Dooling presents his novel's sole Luddite: a technology-averse regional fraud investigator named Charlie Becker.

The New York Times - Books

But the selection of a sophisticated Internet system presented a problem for the curtain-wall consultant, the Gordon Smith Corporation, which, like many firms in the construction industry, was somewhat technology-averse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the degree of aversion. Is it a mild reluctance or a strong opposition? Choose a more nuanced term if "technology averse" seems too strong.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all members of a particular demographic (e.g., elderly people) are "technology averse". Individual preferences and experiences vary greatly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technology averse" functions as a descriptive adjective that modifies a noun, indicating a dislike or avoidance of technology. It's used to characterize individuals, groups, or even entire industries, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "technology averse" is a descriptive adjective used to characterize someone or something that dislikes or avoids technology. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and appears in various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and academic contexts. The phrase is used to explain why individuals or groups might resist adopting new technologies. While not extremely common, the term is well-understood and serves as a succinct way to describe this specific type of aversion. Related phrases include "technologically hesitant" or "unenthusiastic about technology", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Technologically hesitant

Focuses on hesitation rather than strong aversion.

Disinclined towards digital tools

Specifies the type of technology being avoided.

Tech-resistant

Highlights a resistance to adopting new technologies.

Unenthusiastic about technology

Emphasizes a lack of enthusiasm, a milder form of aversion.

Reluctant to use technology

Highlights reluctance, suggesting a willingness to use technology under certain circumstances.

Wary of technological advancements

Focuses on caution and suspicion towards technological progress.

Not tech-savvy

Indicates a lack of skill or knowledge, which can lead to aversion.

Uncomfortable with modern gadgets

Emphasizes discomfort with the physical devices associated with technology.

Digital immigrant

Refers to someone who didn't grow up with digital technology and may find it less intuitive.

Luddite

Implies a strong opposition to new technology, often due to fear of job displacement.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "technology averse"?

To be "technology averse" means to dislike or avoid using technology, often due to a lack of understanding or comfort with it.

What are some synonyms for "technology averse"?

Alternatives include "technologically hesitant", "unenthusiastic about technology", or "reluctant to use technology".

How can I use "technology averse" in a sentence?

Example: "The company offered a snail-mail version of the app for the "technology averse".

Is it always negative to be "technology averse"?

Not necessarily. While technological skills are increasingly valued, being "technology averse" may simply indicate a preference for traditional methods or a focus on other skills. The context determines whether it's perceived negatively.