materialistic
gb/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk/ us/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
too focused on money and possessions
Wanting money and lots of things too much.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is materialistic; materialistic about [money/possessions]
Common mistake:
Often confused with material (fabric) or material (important). Materialistic describes attitudes about possessions or wealth.
Synonyms
consumerist (Emphasizes buying and consumption as a way of life.)
|
greedy (Stronger and more negative; focuses on wanting more for oneself.)
|
money-oriented (More neutral; focuses on prioritizing financial gain.)
Antonyms
unmaterialistic (Not focused on possessions or wealth.)
|
spiritual (Focused on inner life, faith, or non-material values.)
|
content (Satisfied without wanting more possessions.)
Collocations
materialistic person
|materialistic people
|materialistic attitude
|materialistic values
|materialistic culture
|materialistic society
|materialistic lifestyle
|materialistic mindset
|materialistic goals
|materialistic view
Themes
money
|values
|society
|personality
Examples
- He’s not exactly materialistic, but he does like designer clothes.
- She worries that social media encourages a materialistic way of thinking.
- Calling her materialistic is unfair—she just wants financial security.
Learner examples
- My brother is materialistic and always talks about money.
- I don’t want to be materialistic. I want simple things.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
based on philosophical materialism
Believing that only physical things are real.
Usage pattern:
a materialistic explanation/theory/approach
Common mistake:
In this sense it is not about liking money; it is about a philosophical view of reality.
Synonyms
physicalist (A more technical term in philosophy of mind and metaphysics.)
|
naturalistic (Often broader; emphasizes explanations without the supernatural.)
Antonyms
idealist (Claims mind or ideas are fundamental rather than matter.)
|
spiritualist (Emphasizes spirit or non-material reality.)
|
dualistic (Claims mind and matter are fundamentally different kinds of things.)
Collocations
materialistic philosophy
|materialistic worldview
|materialistic theory
|materialistic explanation
|materialistic account
|materialistic approach
|materialistic interpretation
|materialistic assumptions
Themes
philosophy
|science
|beliefs
Examples
- Her book argues for a materialistic explanation of consciousness.
- They criticized the theory as too materialistic and dismissive of subjective experience.
- In the debate, he defended a strictly materialistic view of the universe.
Learner examples
- The professor described a materialistic theory of the mind.
adjective
C1
property
3
focused on physical, not spiritual
Thinking mainly about physical or practical things, not deeper feelings or beliefs.
Usage pattern:
a materialistic approach/view of [life/relationships]
Common mistake:
This use can overlap with the ‘money and possessions’ sense, but it can also be broader than money (e.g., focusing only on measurable results).
Synonyms
pragmatic (Focuses on practical results; not necessarily negative or about possessions.)
|
worldly (Concerned with ordinary life rather than spiritual matters; can be mildly critical.)
Antonyms
idealistic (Guided more by ideals than by practical or physical concerns.)
|
spiritual (Centered on spiritual or inner values rather than material factors.)
Collocations
materialistic approach
|materialistic perspective
|materialistic priorities
|materialistic criteria
|materialistic considerations
|materialistic definition of success
|materialistic view of love
|materialistic focus
Themes
values
|relationships
|daily_life
Examples
- Their approach to education felt overly materialistic, focused only on test scores.
- He has a materialistic definition of success that leaves little room for happiness.
- She wanted a partner who wasn’t so materialistic about relationships.
Learner examples
- His view of success is very materialistic.
- I prefer a more spiritual way of life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
materialistic
IPA
GB/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk/
US/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk/
Syllables & stress
ma - ter - i - al - ist - ic (6 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (al)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: materialistic
Word family
Core family
materialism
noun C1
materialist
noun
Related words
material
adjective A2
Negative and opposite forms
immaterial
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
materialistically
adverb
Expressions
materialistic outlook
1/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk ˈaʊtlˌʊk/
fixed phrase
attitude prioritizing material success
A way of thinking that focuses on money and things.
Examples
- His materialistic outlook changed after he started volunteering.
- A materialistic outlook can make people overlook relationships and community.
materialistic society
1/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk səsˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
society focused on wealth and status
A society that cares a lot about money and things.
Examples
- It’s easy to feel pressure in a materialistic society.
- The author criticized how a materialistic society can make people feel inadequate.
materialistic to a fault
1/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk tə ə fˈɔlt/
fixed phrase
excessively focused on possessions
Too interested in money and things.
Examples
- He’s generous, but he’s materialistic to a fault when it comes to status symbols.
- She can be materialistic to a fault, judging people by what they own.
materialistic values
1/mətˌɪɹiəlˈɪstɪk vˈæljuz/
fixed phrase
values centered on money and things
Thinking that money and things are most important.
Examples
- The movie is a satire of materialistic values.
- They worry their kids are picking up materialistic values from advertising.