individualist

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ist ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-list 

-ˈvij-wə-,

-ˈvi-jə-list

1

: one that pursues a markedly independent course in thought or action

2

: one that advocates or practices individualism

individualist adjective

or individualistic

ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-wə-ˈli-stik 

-ˌvij-wə-,

-ˌvi-jə-ˈli-

individualistically

ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-wə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˌvij-wə-

-ˌvi-jə-ˈli-

adverb

Synonyms

• maverick
• bohemian
• iconoclast
• loner

Examples of individualist in a Sentence

The school encourages children to be individualists.

an individualist who steadfastly refuses to do what everyone else is doing

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on actual events, Eden features a starry cast playing a disparate group of rugged individualists who all find themselves in the Galapagos in the early 20th century, each abandoning society in the hopes of creating a utopia. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025

Although Americans are individualists, we’re still expected to go home for the holidays and to cite our parents as our greatest sources of inspiration. —Anesce Dremen, Longreads, 3 July 2025

What is a totalitarian leader other than an individualist taking that creed to its cruel conclusions, erasing the uniqueness of every other person into mere characters in a drama? —Ed Simon june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

For nineteenth century individualists, essentialists, and naturalists, the point should be to walk for walking’s sake, not for fame or outward fitness or money. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for individualist

• dualist

Kids Definition

individualist

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ist ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wə-ləst 

-ˈvij-əl-əst

1

: a person who thinks or behaves in an individual or independent way

2

: a supporter of individualism

individualist adjective

or individualistic

-ˌvij-(ə-)wə-ˈlis-tik 

-ˌvij-ə-ˈlis-tik

individualistically

-ˈlis-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb