luddite
C1Formal, academic, and journalistic; also used in informal conversation, often with a critical or humorous tone.
Definition
Meaning
A person who is opposed to new technology, especially in industry, because they fear it will replace jobs or change traditional ways of life.
More broadly, a person who is stubbornly resistant to adopting new technologies, ideas, or innovations in any area of life, often out of scepticism, fear of change, or preference for traditional methods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term originated as a historical reference but is now almost exclusively used as a pejorative label for technological resistance. It implies a degree of irrationality, backwardness, or obstructionism, though it can sometimes be used self-deprecatingly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term originated in British history, but is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly stronger historical resonance in UK English due to the British origin of the Luddite movement (1811-1816). In US English, it is a more purely metaphorical term for technophobia.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in written texts (opinion pieces, tech journalism) than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + luddite[adjective] + ludditeluddite + [prepositional phrase: when it comes to/about + noun/gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a luddite at heart”
- “have luddite tendencies”
- “be branded a luddite”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to criticise colleagues or competitors resistant to digital transformation, automation, or new business models.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or technology studies contexts to discuss resistance to industrial or digital innovation.
Everyday
Used humorously or critically to describe someone who avoids smartphones, social media, or other modern conveniences.
Technical
Rare in highly technical fields; more common in related commentary on the societal impact of technology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- His luddite attitude towards contactless payment is frustrating in a modern café.
American English
- Her luddite stance on e-books means her suitcase is full of paperbacks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather is a bit of a luddite. He only uses a very old mobile phone.
- Some people call me a luddite because I don't have any social media accounts.
- The professor was accused of being a luddite for his vehement criticism of AI-assisted grading systems.
- The company's neo-luddite faction opposed the automation project, citing not just job losses but a fundamental degradation of craftsmanship.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone NUDGING an old, clunky machine (like a loom) and saying 'LUD, it's still fine!' — they are a LUDD-ite, resisting the new.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A MOVING FORCE / TECHNOLOGY IS A TIDE. A luddite is someone who tries to stand still or build a wall against this tide.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится буквально. "Луддит" — прямой заимствованный термин, но он малоизвестен в широкой аудитории. Описательный перевод: "противник технического прогресса", "технофоб".
- Не путать с "консерватором" (conservative), который может быть не против технологий, а против социальных изменений.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'luddite' (correct) vs. 'ludite' (incorrect).
- Using it to mean simply 'old-fashioned' without the core element of active opposition to *technology*.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the modern use of 'luddite'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Luddite' comes from the name 'Ned Ludd' (or 'King Ludd'), a possibly mythical figure whom early 19th-century English textile workers blamed for the machine-breaking they were secretly organising.
Primarily, yes. It carries a negative connotation of being irrational and backward-looking. However, some people reclaim it humorously or use it seriously to critique the negative impacts of technology.
Yes, though less common than its use as a noun. Examples include 'luddite tendencies' or 'a luddite approach'. It is not standardly used as a verb.
They are close synonyms. 'Luddite' often implies a more active or principled opposition, sometimes tied to social or economic concerns (like the original Luddites). 'Technophobe' emphasises the fear or anxiety aspect more strongly and can apply to simpler, everyday technology.
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