essentialism
/ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The belief that things have a basic nature or fixed qualities that make them what they are. In social ideas, it can mean thinking people or groups have one true essence.
- Her essay questioned gender essentialism.
- The book argues against cultural essentialism.
Adinary Nuance
Essentialism is close to words like 'essential nature' and 'fixed identity', but it is more specific and often more critical. Writers use it when they want to say someone is treating a person, culture, or thing as if it has one unchanging core. It is more formal than everyday words like 'stereotyping'.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chủ nghĩa bản chất
- Spanish
- esencialismo
- Chinese
- 本质主义
- Japanese
- 本質主義
- Korean
- 본질주의
Etymology
Essentialism comes from essential, from Late Latin essentialis, plus -ism. It became common in modern philosophy and social writing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Common phrases
gender essentialismcultural essentialismracial essentialism
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is essentialism a positive or negative word?
- It is often negative in academic writing. People usually use it to criticise oversimplified thinking.
- What is the difference between essentialism and stereotype?
- A stereotype is a fixed idea about a group. Essentialism is the broader belief that a group has one true nature.
- Is essentialism common in academic writing?
- Yes, it is common in philosophy, sociology, and gender studies. It is less common in everyday speech.