consumerist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal
Quick answer
What does “consumerist” mean?
Relating to the belief that the buying and consumption of goods and services is a desirable social and personal goal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the belief that the buying and consumption of goods and services is a desirable social and personal goal.
Characteristic of or promoting a culture or society that places high value on the acquisition of material possessions and equates personal happiness with purchasing power.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage patterns are identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a critical, often pejorative connotation, associating the mindset with negative societal consequences.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, reflecting the global perception of the US as a primary consumerist society.
Grammar
How to Use “consumerist” in a Sentence
adjective + noun (describes a noun)be + adjective (describes a state)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consumerist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'consumerist' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'consumerist' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - The adverb form 'consumeristically' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- N/A - The adverb form 'consumeristically' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The documentary critiqued our consumerist lifestyle.
American English
- She rejected the consumerist values of her hometown.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing and business criticism to describe target markets or unsustainable economic models.
Academic
Common in sociology, economics, and cultural studies to critique modern capitalist societies.
Everyday
Used in discussion to criticise a focus on shopping and possessions.
Technical
Used in environmental science and sustainable development discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consumerist”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consumerist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consumerist”
- Using it as a synonym for 'customer' (noun form is 'consumer', not 'consumerist').
- Using it in a positive context is rare and would likely be marked as error or irony.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the vast majority of contexts, it carries a critical or pejorative connotation, describing excessive focus on consumption.
Rarely. While theoretically possible (e.g., 'He is a consumerist'), it is not standard. The noun is 'consumer'. The primary use is as an adjective.
'Consumer' is a neutral noun for a person who buys goods. 'Consumerist' is primarily a critical adjective describing a culture or attitude centred on consumption.
No direct positive synonym. Terms like 'prosperous' or 'affluent' describe wealth without the critical focus on consumption.
Relating to the belief that the buying and consumption of goods and services is a desirable social and personal goal.
Consumerist is usually formal in register.
Consumerist: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsjuː.mər.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsuː.mɚ.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms; concept embedded in phrases like 'the cult of consumerism']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONSUMER who insists on buying everything – a CONSUMERIST.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A MARKETPLACE; HAPPINESS IS A COMMODITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'consumerist' used correctly?