Definition

Noun: A way of living, behaving, or a set of attitudes that is characteristic of a bohemian. This typically involves prioritizing artistic, literary, or intellectual pursuits over conventional societal norms, often embracing an unconventional, free-spirited, and sometimes impoverished lifestyle.

Usage

The word "bohemianism" is used to describe the collective practices, values, or the state of living associated with bohemians. It is often used in discussions about art, culture, history, and social movements. - It functions as an uncountable noun (e.g., "His life was a model of bohemianism"). - It can be used attributively in compound nouns (see 'Variants and Related Words').

Examples

• The neighborhood's vibrant bohemianism attracted painters, writers, and musicians from all over the city.
• Her bohemianism was evident in her eclectic clothing, her disdain for a 9-to-5 job, and her commitment to poetry.
• The novel explores the bohemianism of 1920s Parisian society.

Advanced Usage

• As a cultural concept: The term is often used to analyze or historicize countercultural movements, particularly those centered in urban artistic communities.
  • Scholars often study the bohemianism of the Beat Generation as a reaction to postwar conformity.

Variants and Related Words

• Bohemian (noun): A person, often an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.
• Bohemian (adjective): Characteristic of or like a bohemian (e.g., a bohemian lifestyle, a bohemian café).
• Bohemianist (noun, rare): One who studies or advocates for bohemianism.

Synonyms

• Nonconformity
• Unconventionality
• Free-spiritedness
• Artistic lifestyle

Antonyms

• Conformity
• Conventionalism
• Bourgeois values
• Orthodoxy

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Live a life of bohemianism: To embrace a bohemian lifestyle fully.
  • After graduating, she moved to the city to live a life of bohemianism among other artists.

Noun

1. conduct characteristic of a bohemian