Essentialist - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An essentialist is someone who believes that things have a fixed, inherent nature or set of characteristics. This view often applies to categories like gender, identity, or species.
Definition:
Believing in fixed, inherent characteristics that define a group or concept.
Synonyms:
reductionist, determinist, absolutist
Part of Speech:
noun, adjective
Antonyms:
relativist, constructivist
Common Collocations:
essentialist view, essentialist approach, essentialist thinking
Derivatives:
essentialism, essentialistic
Usage Tips:
Use "essentialist" to describe rigid categorizations of identity or nature; avoid oversimplifying complex traits.
Common Phrases:
essentialist perspective, essentialist argument, essentialist belief
Etymology:
Derived from "essential," rooted in Latin "essentia," meaning "being" or "nature."
Examples:
- 1. The essentialist viewpoint simplifies cultural identity into fixed traits.
- 2. Her argument was criticized for being too essentialist and inflexible.
- 3. Essentialist theories often ignore individual differences within groups.
- 4. He rejected the essentialist notion that gender roles are innate.