consumerism
UK[kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm]US[kənˈsuːmərɪzəm]
n
The belief that it is good for a society or an economy if people buy and use goods and services in large quantities.
n
The actions and attitudes of people who are too concerned with buying and owning things.
Morpheme Breakdown
consume
er
ism
consume
to use up
er
agent suffix
ism
doctrine or system
Etymology
The word 'consumerism' is a modern construction built upon the older verb 'consume'. Its Latin ancestor, consumere, combined con- (an intensive prefix meaning 'altogether') and sumere ('to take'), painting a vivid picture of complete taking or using up. By the 17th century, 'consume' in English had evolved to mean using goods or services. The agent suffix '-er' was added to form 'consumer,' denoting the person who does the consuming. Finally, in the early 20th century, the abstract noun-forming suffix '-ism' was appended to create a term for the economic theory and social attitude that places high value on the act and scale of consumption itself, thus shifting the focus from the simple act of using to a broader ideological system centered on it.
Analysis
Structure: consume (to use up) + er (agent suffix) + ism (doctrine or system)
- consume: From Latin consumere ('to take up completely, use up, devour'). The functional role is the core verb meaning 'to use'.
- er: A Germanic/English agent suffix, indicating 'one who does something'.
- ism: From Greek -ismos, via Latin and French, forming nouns indicating a practice, system, or doctrine.
Examples
The documentary critiques modern consumerism and its environmental impact.
Some economists argue that consumerism is essential for driving economic growth.
He rejected the rampant consumerism of his peers, choosing a minimalist lifestyle instead.