lookism

[ look-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. discrimination or prejudice based on a person's physical appearance.

lookism

/ ˈlʊkɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination against a person on the grounds of physical appearance

Derived Forms

• ˈlookist, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lookism¹

First recorded in 1985–1990

Example Sentences

Lemon’s comment was a toilet-bowl swirl of sexism and ageism and lookism and did this man have an undiagnosed head injury, or what?

From Washington Post

In “Lookism,” a young, friendless man wakes up in a tall, handsome body; “The Remarried Empress” features a protagonist who is, well, remarried; “unOrdinary” centers on a teenager with a secret past that threatens to bring down his high school’s social hierarchy.

From New York Times

Her biggest score, “At Seventeen,” which reached No. 2 in 1975, confronted lookism and bullying with a candor that anticipated the work of contemporary artists including Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato and Lizzo.

From New York Times

Still, audiences craving family-friendly diversion will find tunes, comedy and fairy-tale trappings here, with a worthy lesson about the importance of looking beyond lookism.

From Washington Post

So a repudiation of lookism has always been part of the musical, and indeed the underlying story.

From Washington Post