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Babbitt - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

babbitt

/ˈbæbɪt/ /ˈbæbɪt/

Definition:

A self-satisfied, conventional person who conforms unthinkingly to middle-class values.

Synonyms:

conformist, philistine, bourgeois

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

nonconformist, individualist

Common Collocations:

Babbitt mentality, Babbitt society, Babbitt-like behavior

Derivatives:

Babbittry, Babbittish

Usage Tips:

Use "Babbitt" to describe someone overly concerned with material success and social conformity.

Common Phrases:

Babbitt mentality, like a Babbitt, Babbitt's world

Etymology:

Derived from Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel "Babbitt," depicting a stereotypical middle-class businessman.

Examples:

  • 1. He was a typical Babbitt, obsessed with status and appearances.
  • 2. The town was full of Babbitts who resisted any change.
  • 3. Her Babbitt-like attitude made her unpopular among artists.
  • 4. The novel critiques the Babbitts of American society.

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