Is 'Shakerism' still practised today?

There are very few, if any, practising Shakers today. The term is now primarily historical and cultural.

Can 'Shakerism' refer to just the furniture style?

While the furniture is its most famous legacy, 'Shakerism' properly refers to the entire religious and social system. In design contexts, 'Shaker style' is the more precise term.

Is 'Shakerism' related to the Quakers?

Both are Christian groups originating in England that emphasized direct spiritual experience and simplicity. However, they are distinct movements with different practices (e.g., Shakers were celibate and known for ecstatic worship).

Why is the word so rare?

It refers to a specific, now largely defunct, religious group. Without a living community or widespread contemporary relevance, the term is confined to specialist discussions.

Is “shakerism” formal?

Shakerism is usually formal / academic / historical in register.

How do you pronounce “shakerism”?

Shakerism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪkərɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪkərˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

shakerism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Rare

UK/ˈʃeɪkərɪz(ə)m/US/ˈʃeɪkərˌɪzəm/

Formal / Academic / Historical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “shakerism” mean?

The principles, practices, or spirit of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a Christian sect known as the Shakers.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The principles, practices, or spirit of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a Christian sect known as the Shakers.

The distinctive communal lifestyle, craftsmanship, simplicity, celibacy, pacifism, and ecstatic worship associated with the Shaker religious movement.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The term is equally rare in both varieties. It is slightly more likely to be encountered in American contexts due to the Shaker movement's historical presence in the United States.

Connotations

Connotes historical religious communities, utopianism, minimalist design, and traditional craftsmanship. Neutral-to-positive in academic/historical registers.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both. Most British speakers would be unfamiliar with the term unless they have a specific interest in religious history or design.

Grammar

How to Use “shakerism” in a Sentence

Noun, typically used with a determiner (the, this, their) or in prepositional phrases (of shakerism).

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Shakerprinciples ofinfluence oftradition of

medium

embodyinspired bystudy ofhistory of

weak

simplecommunalutopianAmerican

Examples

Examples of “shakerism” in a Sentence

verb

British English

N/A - The verb form does not exist.

American English

N/A - The verb form does not exist.

adverb

British English

N/A - The adverbial form does not exist.

American English

N/A - The adverbial form does not exist.

adjective

British English

The museum had a distinctly Shaker aesthetic.
He admired their Shaker craftsmanship.

American English

She furnished her home in a Shaker style.
The community's Shaker values were evident.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used. Potentially in marketing for furniture or design inspired by Shaker aesthetics.

Academic

Used in historical, religious studies, sociology, and design history contexts to describe the movement's ideology.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Would require a very specific conversation about religious history or minimalist design.

Technical

Not a technical term in common fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “shakerism”

Strong

Shaker doctrineShaker creed

Neutral

Shaker principlesShaker ethosShaker tradition

Weak

communal living (in specific context)utopianismplain style

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “shakerism”

individualism materialism ostentationworldliness

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “shakerism”

Using it to describe any form of shaking or tremor. Misspelling as 'Shaker-ism' with a hyphen is common but the closed form 'Shakerism' is standard.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: There are very few, if any, practising Shakers today. The term is now primarily historical and cultural.
: While the furniture is its most famous legacy, 'Shakerism' properly refers to the entire religious and social system. In design contexts, 'Shaker style' is the more precise term.
: Both are Christian groups originating in England that emphasized direct spiritual experience and simplicity. However, they are distinct movements with different practices (e.g., Shakers were celibate and known for ecstatic worship).
: It refers to a specific, now largely defunct, religious group. Without a living community or widespread contemporary relevance, the term is confined to specialist discussions.
: The principles, practices, or spirit of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a Christian sect known as the Shakers.
: Shakerism is usually formal / academic / historical in register.
: Shakerism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪkərɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪkərˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“"Shaker simplicity" (idiomatic phrase denoting minimalist, functional design)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'salt shaker' – simple, functional, everyday. Now apply that simplicity to a whole way of life and religion. 'Shaker-ism' is the 'ism' or doctrine of people who valued such simplicity.

Conceptual Metaphor

SIMPLICITY IS PURITY (The Shaker aesthetic and lifestyle metaphorically equated lack of ornament with spiritual cleanliness).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The museum exhibit illustrated how influenced modern architecture with its emphasis on function and clean lines.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary context for using the word 'shakerism'?