Category:-isms

All the -ism articles

Words ending in "-ism" typically denote a doctrine, principle, ideology, system, or practice.  They often refer to a belief system, a theory, or a way of doing things.

Here's a breakdown of the common meanings and some examples:

• A belief system or ideology:  This is probably the most common usage.  Think of words like *capitalism*, *socialism*, *communism*, *feminism*, *nationalism*, *pacifism*. These all describe sets of beliefs about how society should be organized or how people should live.

• A practice or method:  Sometimes "-ism" refers to a specific way of doing something. Examples include *tourism *, *journalism*, *criticism*.

• Adherence to a principle or doctrine:  A person who follows a particular "-ism" can be called an "-ist." For example, someone who believes in capitalism is a *capitalist*.

• A characteristic or mannerism: In some cases, "-ism" can describe a distinctive quality or behavior.  Examples include *heroism*, *individualism*, *egotism*.

It's important to note that the specific meaning of a word ending in "-ism" depends on the root word to which it's attached.  However, the general idea is usually related to a system of beliefs, practices, or principles.