What does communist mean?
A communist is a person who believes in or supports communism, the political and economic theory holding that property and the means of production should be owned collectively rather than privately, ideally leading to a classless society. The word functions both as a noun, naming such a person, and as an adjective describing ideas, parties, states, or policies associated with communism. In modern usage, capitalization carries meaning: capitalized 'Communist' usually denotes formal membership in or allegiance to a Communist Party, while lowercase 'communist' refers more loosely to the ideology or its sympathizers. The term rose to global prominence in the twentieth century alongside revolutions and Cold War politics, so it often carries charged connotations depending on the speaker's perspective. Related forms include 'communism' (the ideology itself) and 'communistic' (an adjectival variant).
A person who supports or adheres to the principles of communism, especially a member of a Communist Party.
"He joined the party in the 1930s and remained a devoted communist all his life."
Often capitalized when referring specifically to a member of an organized Communist Party.
Relating to communism, Communists, or a state governed by a Communist Party.
"The country underwent a communist revolution in the late 1940s."
Frequently used attributively, as in 'communist regime' or 'communist ideology'.
Standard plural for the noun sense; used when referring to multiple adherents of communism.
"Thousands of communists gathered at the rally in support of workers' rights."
The word 'communist' entered English in the 1840s — decades before the Russian Revolution made it a household term worldwide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of communist
The word 'communist' derives from French 'communiste', formed on Latin 'communis', meaning 'common' or 'shared by all'. It entered English in the mid-nineteenth century, gaining wide currency through the socialist movements of that era and later through Marxist writings. It shares the same Latin root with words such as 'community', 'commune', 'common', and 'communicate'.
Related word forms
How communist is actually used
Capitalized 'Communist' typically refers to formal membership in or affiliation with a Communist Party; lowercase 'communist' refers to the ideology or its adherents more broadly. The word carries strong historical and political connotations that vary by context and era.
Easily confused with communist
A socialist advocates social ownership and welfare reforms generally, while a communist specifically seeks a classless, stateless society, often via revolutionary means.