nonmaterialistic
|non-ma-te-ri-a-lis-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.məˌtɪriəˈlɪstɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.məˌtɪəriəˈlɪs.tɪk/
not valuing possessions
Etymology
'nonmaterialistic' originates from the English prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' combined with 'materialistic.' 'materialistic' is formed from 'material' + the suffix '-istic.' 'material' ultimately comes from Latin 'materia' meaning 'matter, substance.'
'material' came into English via Old French 'matiere' from Latin 'materia.' The adjective 'materialistic' was formed in English from 'material' + '-istic.' 'nonmaterialistic' was formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'non-' to 'materialistic' to indicate negation.
Initially, 'material' referred to physical 'matter' or 'substance'; 'materialistic' later described a doctrine valuing material possessions and physical wealth. Over time, 'nonmaterialistic' has come to mean 'not valuing material possessions' or 'opposed to materialism.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not valuing material possessions or wealth; preferring spiritual, intellectual, or experiential things over physical goods.
She leads a nonmaterialistic lifestyle, choosing experiences over accumulating possessions.
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Adjective 2
opposed to the philosophy of materialism; rejecting materialistic values or the pursuit of material wealth.
The group's nonmaterialistic beliefs emphasize community and creativity rather than personal wealth.
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Last updated: 2025/11/04 08:49