affluenza
Low (C2)Journalistic, academic, social commentary; often critical or ironic.
Definition
Meaning
A social malaise or psychological malaise said to be caused by extreme materialism and the relentless pursuit of wealth, characterised by a lack of motivation, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness despite material abundance.
A portmanteau of 'affluence' and 'influenza', used to critique consumer culture and its negative effects on individuals, families, and society, including environmental damage, debt, and unhappiness. In legal contexts (primarily US), it can refer to a defence strategy where the defendant's privileged background is argued to have impaired their judgement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun. It functions as a non-medical, metaphorical term for a societal condition. Its use implies a critique of capitalism or consumerism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal defence usage is almost exclusively American, stemming from a 2013 Texas case. The sociological term is understood in both regions.
Connotations
In the UK, the term is primarily associated with social criticism and environmental discourse. In the US, the legal association can sometimes overshadow the sociological meaning, adding a controversial layer.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but slightly more likely to appear in US media due to the legal history.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] suffers from affluenza.[Society/We] are experiencing an epidemic of affluenza.The lawyer used the affluenza defence.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(There's) no vaccine for affluenza.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used in critiques of corporate culture or marketing ethics.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, and cultural studies papers to describe negative societal trends.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation; used by individuals commenting on societal issues.
Technical
Not a technical term in medicine or law, but a recognised socio-legal concept.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The documentary argues that we are being *affluenzaed* into a state of perpetual dissatisfaction.
American English
- Critics say the media *affluenzas* teenagers by glorifying luxury brands.
adjective
British English
- He displayed an *affluenza*-like detachment from the consequences of his actions.
American English
- The therapist specialises in *affluenza*-related anxiety in wealthy families.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some experts believe that **affluenza** is a real problem in developed countries.
- The article described the stress of constant shopping as a form of **affluenza**.
- The psychologist attributed the heir's reckless behaviour not to malice, but to a profound case of **affluenza**, bred from a lifetime of never facing consequences.
- Critics of consumer culture warn that **affluenza** leads to environmental degradation and deep personal unhappiness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: AFFLUence gives you the flu (INfluenza) of the soul—a sickness of having too much.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A DISEASE / EXCESS IS A PATHOGEN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating it directly as 'грипп богатства' or 'богатый грипп', as it sounds nonsensical. The concept is best explained descriptively: 'социальная болезнь из-за погони за богатством', 'психологический дискомфорт от избытка материальных благ'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a literal virus caught by rich people.
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an affluenza').
- Misspelling as 'affluenzia' or 'afluenza'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'affluenza' most controversially used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not recognised as a medical or psychological diagnosis in manuals like the DSM-5. It is a sociological and metaphorical term used in social commentary.
The term was popularised by the 2001 documentary/book 'Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic' by John de Graaf et al. Its use in a 2013 US legal case brought it to wider public attention.
Almost never. The term is inherently critical, describing the negative side-effects of wealth and consumption. It is not used to praise affluence.
No, it is a low-frequency word. You will most likely encounter it in specific contexts like opinion journalism, academic social criticism, or discussions about American legal controversies.