Definition

Discrimination or unfair treatment of individuals based on their physical appearance, often related to societal standards of beauty.

Example

Lookism can lead to unfair job opportunities for those who do not fit conventional beauty standards.

Conversation

Have you noticed how people often face lookism in our society?

Yeah, it's really unfair how much emphasis is placed on appearance.

I read an article about it that made me think about my own biases.

Same here, it’s important to recognize lookism and challenge those stereotypes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lookism → It is formed from "look" (from Old English *locian*, meaning to see or observe) and "-ism" (a suffix used to denote a practice or belief). The word "lookism" refers to discrimination based on a person's appearance or looks, suggesting a belief in the superiority of certain appearances over others.

Memory Tip

Think of 'look' as seeing or observing someone's appearance, and '-ism' as a belief or practice. This helps you remember that lookism is about judging people based on how they look.

Visually Confused Words