consumerism

IPA/kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/
KK[kənsˈumɚˌɪzəm]IPA/kənˈsuːmərɪzəm/

consumerism — noun

1. a social and economic system in which large quantities of goods are produced, ad

1.名詞B2
釋義

a social and economic system in which large quantities of goods are produced, advertised, and bought by people, and where spending on goods is an important part of daily life

例句

The rise of consumerism in post-war Japan transformed how ordinary people shopped for daily goods.

collocation: rise of consumerism

Mei-Lin noticed that consumerism had changed her city, with huge malls replacing small markets.

同義詞
  • mass consumption

    focuses on the volume of goods bought, without the full social-system meaning

  • market capitalism

    broader term covering production and trade, not just the consumption side

用法筆記

Uncountable noun; frequently used with modifiers such as 'modern', 'mass', or 'global'.

常見錯誤

❌Consumerism is a kind of individual activity.
✅Consumerism is a broad social and economic system.
💡consumerism describes a system, not just a personal habit.

2. a way of life in which people place too much importance on buying and owning mat

2.名詞B2
釋義

a way of life in which people place too much importance on buying and owning material possessions, often seen as harmful to society, personal well-being, or the environment

例句

Critics say that consumerism encourages people to throw away perfectly good items just to buy newer versions.

critics say + that-clause

After working at a food bank, Diego began to question the consumerism he saw every day.

question consumerism — verb pattern

同義詞
  • materialism

    broader — a general value system centred on possessions, not necessarily tied to excessive buying

  • commercialism

    focuses on the profit-driven promotion of buying, especially through advertising

  • conspicuous consumption

    more specific — buying expensive items to display social status

反義詞
  • minimalism

    a lifestyle that values owning fewer possessions

  • simple living

    a choice to reduce consumption and focus on non-material needs

用法筆記

Often carries a negative or critical tone when used in social commentary. Distinguish from sense 1, which is a neutral description of the economic system.

常見錯誤

❌Consumerism is when people buy things.
✅Consumerism refers to a culture that places excessive value on buying and owning things.
💡the word implies a critical judgment about priorities, not just the act of purchasing.

3. the economic theory or belief that a continuous increase in the purchase of good

3.名詞C1
釋義

the economic theory or belief that a continuous increase in the purchase of goods and services is desirable because it stimulates production, creates jobs, and benefits the overall economy

例句

Some governments adopted consumerism as their core economic principle in the 1980s.

adopt consumerism as a principle — formal register

Professor Amara argued that consumerism alone cannot solve the problem of unemployment in a recession.

argue that + consumerism cannot solve [problem]

同義詞
反義詞
  • austerity

    a policy of reducing spending, the opposite of encouraging consumption

用法筆記

Restricted to formal or academic contexts, especially economics. Not used in everyday conversation. Distinguish from sense 1 and 2 — this sense names a theory, not a social condition.

4. a movement or set of policies that aim to protect the rights and interests of pe

4.名詞B2
釋義

a movement or set of policies that aim to protect the rights and interests of people who buy goods or services, for example by ensuring product safety, honest advertising, and fair pricing

例句

Laws passed through consumerism now require companies to list all ingredients on food packaging.

passive: laws passed through consumerism

Elena joined a consumer group that uses consumerism principles to help people get refunds for faulty electronics.

collocation: consumer group / consumerism principles

同義詞

用法筆記

In this sense, 'consumerism' often appears as a modifier: 'consumerism laws', 'consumerism movement', 'consumerism advocate'.