individuality
What sets apart
Individuality is what makes a person distinct from others—their unique combination of qualities, characteristics, and traits.
The word emphasizes distinctiveness: She never lost her individuality despite years in uniform.
To express your individuality is to show what sets you apart.
The concept implies that conformity suppresses something valuable in each person.
Quality of being singular
- singularityPoint where values explode
- distinctivenessQuality of being distinguishable
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- peculiarityUnusual distinguishing characteristic
idiosyncrasy · originality · uncommonness · exclusivity · specialness · exceptionality · rareness · one-of-a-kind
Individual identity, personhood
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
- self-imageOne's view of oneself
- self-perceptionHow one views oneself
- personaAssumed public identity
character · essence · being · nature · soul · spirit · consciousness · ego
Conveying one's inner world
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- originalityNovel creative quality
- artistryExceptional creative skill
personal voice · nonconformity · unconventionality · flair · style · signature · personal brand · self-actualization
Freedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- agencyPower to act
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
freedom · sovereignty · empowerment · self-governance · liberty · free will · self-direction · nonconformity
Inborn behavioral nature
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- dispositionInherent character or arrangement
- traitsDistinguishing personal features
- personaAssumed public identity
charisma · eccentricity · extroversion · introversion · conscientiousness · agreeableness · openness · assertiveness
Study of existence's nature
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- particularitySpecific distinguishing feature
- essentialismDoctrine of fixed natures
- existentialismPhilosophy stressing self-created meaning
phenomenology · personhood · Leibniz · monads · substance · atomism · nominalism
uniqueness
Quality of being singular
- singularityPoint where values explode
- distinctivenessQuality of being distinguishable
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
peculiarity · idiosyncrasy · originality · uncommonness · exclusivity · specialness · exceptionality · rareness · one-of-a-kind · irreplaceability
selfhood
Individual identity, personhood
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
- self-imageOne's view of oneself
- self-perceptionHow one views oneself
persona · character · essence · being · nature · soul · spirit · consciousness · ego · psyche
self-expression
Conveying one's inner world
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- originalityNovel creative quality
artistry · personal voice · nonconformity · unconventionality · flair · style · signature · personal brand · self-actualization · self-realization
independence
Freedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- agencyPower to act
self-determination · freedom · sovereignty · empowerment · self-governance · liberty · free will · self-direction · nonconformity · self-rule
temperament
Inborn behavioral nature
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- dispositionInherent character or arrangement
- traitsDistinguishing personal features
persona · charisma · eccentricity · extroversion · introversion · conscientiousness · agreeableness · openness · assertiveness · quirks
ontology
Study of existence's nature
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- particularitySpecific distinguishing feature
- essentialismDoctrine of fixed natures
existentialism · phenomenology · personhood · Leibniz · monads · substance · atomism · nominalism
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- personalitypersonality, trait, temperament, traits, character
- Nonconformistsnonconformist, rebels, rebel, misfits, misfit
- originalityoriginality, uniqueness, novelty, creativity, inventiveness
- selfself-awareness, self-concept, self-esteem, self-knowledge, self-image
- self-improvementpersonal growth, self-help books, focus, self-improvement, personal development
individualitysameness
State of being identical
uniformity · homogeneity · identicalness · commonness · ordinariness
individualityconformity
Adherence to norms
conformism · conventionality · groupthink · herd mentality · orthodoxy
individualitycollectivism
Group primacy doctrine
collectivity · uniformity · deindividuation · communalism · unity
- rugged individualismPhilosophy of personal independence
- rugged individualistSelf-reliant, tough-minded person
- American individualismNational ethos of personal autonomy
- individualized educationLearning plan per student
- radical individualismBelief in absolute personal sovereignty
- individualized careServices adapted per person
individualist, individualism, individualize, individualized, individualizing, individualizes, individualization, individualities