nonmaterialism
|non-ma-te-ri-al-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.məˈtɪriəlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.məˈtɪəriəlɪz(ə)m/
denial or rejection of materialism
Etymology
'nonmaterialism' is formed in English by the negative prefix 'non-' + 'materialism'; 'non-' means 'not' and 'materialism' comes from 'material' + the suffix '-ism'.
'material' derives from Latin 'materia' meaning 'matter, substance'; 'materialism' arose in English (18th century) to denote doctrines about matter as primary; adding the prefix 'non-' produced 'nonmaterialism' to express denial or opposition to materialism.
The component 'materialism' originally referred to doctrines centered on matter; with the prefix 'non-' the combined form has come to mean either a philosophical denial of materialism or a lifestyle rejecting material values.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical position or doctrine that denies that matter is the only or primary reality; the view that non-material (e.g., mental, spiritual) substances or properties exist.
In metaphysics, nonmaterialism argues that consciousness cannot be fully explained by physical processes alone.
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Noun 2
a worldview or lifestyle that devalues material possessions and emphasizes non-material values such as relationships, experiences, or spiritual growth.
Her nonmaterialism led her to choose experiences and close friendships over buying expensive goods.
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Last updated: 2025/11/04 08:05