Word

animism

noun C1

/ˈænɪmɪzəm/

Meanings

noun

the belief that animals, plants, natural objects, or places have spirits or spiritual power

noun

the attribution of life, intention, or spirit to things that are not human, especially in cultural or religious contexts

animism: the attribution of life, intention, or spirit to things that are not human, especially in cultural or religious con…

Definition

Animism is the belief that spirits or spiritual forces exist in animals, plants, natural objects, or places.

Animism is a worldview in which nature is understood as spiritually alive. People with animistic beliefs may see animals, rivers, mountains, or even everyday objects as having a spirit or agency. The term is often used in anthropology and the study of religions to describe certain Indigenous and traditional belief systems.

Examples

In her seminar, she argued that animism offers a coherent way of understanding human relationships with landscapes.
They treated the river with caution and respect, and animism helped explain the rituals surrounding seasonal floods.
I encountered animism in fieldwork notes that described animals as social partners rather than mere resources.
He criticized the documentary for reducing animism to superstition instead of presenting it as a complex worldview.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse animism with “animalism” and mistakenly think it refers mainly to animals rather than spirits in nature more broadly.