commercialism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, critical, academic
Quick answer
What does “commercialism” mean?
The emphasis on maximizing financial profit, often at the expense of artistic, social, or ethical values.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The emphasis on maximizing financial profit, often at the expense of artistic, social, or ethical values.
The principles and practices of commerce and business, especially when applied pervasively to areas of life not traditionally considered commercial, such as art, sports, or public services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition. Slightly more common in American discussions of consumer culture and sports.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties when used critically. May be more neutral in specific business contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; appears in similar contexts in both cultures.
Grammar
How to Use “commercialism” in a Sentence
the commercialism of [noun phrase]a backlash against commercialismdriven by commercialismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commercialism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The festival has become commercialised.
American English
- The network commercialized the holiday special.
adverb
British English
- The event was run too commercially, focusing only on sponsors.
American English
- The team is managed extremely commercially.
adjective
British English
- He disliked the commercialised feel of the historic town centre.
American English
- The commercialized nature of the sport is off-putting to some purists.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Neutral term for a focus on profitable activity.
Academic
Critical analysis of the influence of market logic on society and culture.
Everyday
Used critically to describe the over-commercialisation of events like Christmas or football.
Technical
Used in sociology, media studies, and cultural criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commercialism”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commercialism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commercialism”
- Using it as a synonym for 'advertising' alone (it's broader).
- Using it in a positive context unironically (it is nearly always pejorative).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always. It carries a critical connotation of excess. In neutral business contexts, terms like 'market focus' or 'profitability' are preferred.
'Commercialism' focuses on the actions of sellers/producers prioritising profit. 'Consumerism' focuses on the culture of buyers constantly acquiring goods. They are closely related and often overlap.
No, it is an uncountable (mass) noun. You cannot say 'a commercialism' or 'two commercialisms'.
'Commercial' is the general adjective. 'Commercialised' (UK) / 'Commercialized' (US) is the past participle adjective meaning 'made subject to commercialism'.
The emphasis on maximizing financial profit, often at the expense of artistic, social, or ethical values.
Commercialism is usually formal, critical, academic in register.
Commercialism: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmɜː.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmɝː.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the price of commercialism”
- “a victim of commercialism”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMMERCIAL + ISM. An 'ism' is a doctrine or system. Commercialism is the 'system' where making money is the primary goal.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY/ART IS A MARKETPLACE (where everything has a price tag).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'commercialism' most likely used NEUTRALLY or positively?