socialist
socialist Lexical Profile
socialist Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, advocating, or based on the political and economic theory of socialism, in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated collectively by the community or the state.
"The coalition government introduced several socialist policies aimed at expanding universal healthcare and public housing."
• noun
A person who advocates or practices socialism, supporting collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
"As a lifelong socialist, she campaigned tirelessly for workers' rights and the nationalization of key public utilities."
Word Nuance & Usage
In political discourse, 'socialist' is frequently distinguished from 'communist' (which historically advocated total state ownership and a single-party system) and 'social democrat' (which favors a regulated capitalist economy with a robust welfare state).
• Rhymes for socialist
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 19th century from French 'socialiste', ultimately derived from Latin 'socialis' ('of companionship or allies'), from 'socius' ('companion, ally'). It first appeared in English in the 1820s among followers of the Welsh social reformer Robert Owen.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.