Lumpen - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Lumpen refers to people regarded as uneducated, disorganized, or socially marginalized, often used to describe the lowest class in society. It can also imply a lack of refinement or awareness.
Definition:
Relating to the uneducated or lower social class, often perceived as lacking refinement or ambition.
Synonyms:
proletarian, underclass, common, vulgar, coarse
Part of Speech:
adjective, noun
Antonyms:
refined, elite, sophisticated
Common Collocations:
lumpen proletariat, lumpen masses, lumpen behavior
Derivatives:
lumpenly, lumpenness
Usage Tips:
Use "lumpen" to describe people or things perceived as crude or unrefined, often in a sociological context.
Common Phrases:
lumpen proletariat, lumpen intelligentsia, lumpen lifestyle
Etymology:
Derived from German "Lumpen" (rags), referring to the disenfranchised or ragged lower class in Marxist theory.
Examples:
- 1. The lumpen crowd gathered outside the factory.
- 2. His lumpen manners made him stand out at the elegant party.
- 3. She criticized the lumpen attitudes of some workers.
- 4. The novel portrays the struggles of the lumpen underclass.