ageism

[ ey-jiz-uhm ]

noun

1. discrimination against persons of a certain age group.
2. a tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment.

ageism

/ ˈeɪdʒɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination against people on the grounds of age; specifically, discrimination against the elderly

Derived Forms

• ˈageist, adjective

Other Words From

• age·ist adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ageism¹

First recorded in 1965–70; age + -ism, on the model of sexism, racism, etc.

Example Sentences

Research shows that the damage inflicted by ageism is real, Petrow said.

From Washington Blade

Few things are more fraught with fear, anxiety and ageism than knowing that, if we live long enough, we’ll get old.

From Washington Blade

Women over 40 years old seem to face a harsher dose of ageism wrapped in sexism.

From Digiday

This may likely garner protests of profiling and reverse ageism, but she trusts that those who are most directly affected will wisely be grateful for the punctual drinks and food served at the appropriate temperature.

From Washington Post

So with this prevalent ageism, it’s hardly a surprise women fear talking about menopause.

From Digiday

Ageism is the only “ism” that everyone (who lives) will live to suffer from.

From The Daily Beast

I can still hear her deep voice raging against ageism in the film industry.

From The Daily Beast

Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008.

From The Daily Beast

We have Republicans raising Ayers and Democrats fostering ageism with “erratic” and jokes about Depends.

From The Daily Beast

More About Ageism

What is ageism?

Ageism is treating people of a certain age group negatively solely because of their age, as in Thinking that all teenagers are irresponsible is ageism.

Ageism is any form of discrimination against people because of their age. Most often, ageism is targeted toward older people, such as thinking that elderly people are helpless because of their advanced age. However, any age group can be discriminated against. For example, thinking that someone in their 20s is too young to be a manager is ageism. So is thinking that teenagers are irresponsible.

Example: When you don’t get hired for a position you’re qualified for just because you’re older, that sounds like ageism.

Where does ageism come from?

The first records of the term ageism come from around the 1960s. It combines the term age, meaning “length of time a person has been alive,” with the suffix -ism, which creates nouns denoting an action or practice, as in racism and sexism. 

Something that showcases ageism is described as ageist. Ageist tendencies tend to produce themselves when a person considers another person to be unworthy of their attention, for example, because of their age. People who tend to display an action like this are referred to as ageists.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to ageism?

• ageist (adjective, noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with ageism? 

• age
• racism
• sexism

What are some words that often get used in discussing ageism?

• discrimination
• elderly
• rude

How is ageism used in real life?

Many people advocate for ageism to be taken more seriously, especially since it is not as frequently or prominently discussed as other forms of discrimination.

Reject racism. Reject sexism. Reject classism. Reject ageism. Reject oppression. Reject intolerance.

Reject hate.

EMBRACE LOVE.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) August 12, 2017

You’re not suddenly “old” just because you’re over 25. Stop believing in toxic ageism that society constantly tries to reinforce

— Chrish (@mistachrish) August 13, 2020

Friendly reminder that ageism isn't okay. Look at someone's qualifications, their record, their character, their work with other people, and make your judgment. But leave age out of it.

— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 3, 2019

 

Try using ageism!

Is ageism used correctly in the following sentence?

“Ageism in the workplace can mean pushing someone to retire because of their age and nothing else.”

More About Ageism

What is ageism?

Ageism is treating people of a certain age group negatively solely because of their age, as in Thinking that all teenagers are irresponsible is ageism.

Ageism is any form of discrimination against people because of their age. Most often, ageism is targeted toward older people, such as thinking that elderly people are helpless because of their advanced age. However, any age group can be discriminated against. For example, thinking that someone in their 20s is too young to be a manager is ageism. So is thinking that teenagers are irresponsible.

Example: When you don’t get hired for a position you’re qualified for just because you’re older, that sounds like ageism.

Where does ageism come from?

The first records of the term ageism come from around the 1960s. It combines the term age, meaning “length of time a person has been alive,”  with the suffix -ism, which creates nouns denoting an action or practice, as in racism and sexism.

Something that showcases ageism is described as ageist. Ageist tendencies tend to produce themselves when a person considers another person to be unworthy of their attention, for example, because of their age. People who tend to display an action like this are referred to as ageists.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to ageism?

• ageist (adjective, noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with ageism? 

• age
• racism
• sexism

What are some words that often get used in discussing ageism?

• discrimination
• elderly
• rude

How is ageism used in real life?

Ageism is less frequently discussed than other forms of discrimination, at least in informal conversation. Even so, discriminating against someone because they are older is wrong.

Reject racism. Reject sexism. Reject classism. Reject ageism. Reject oppression. Reject intolerance.

Reject hate.

EMBRACE LOVE.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) August 12, 2017

You’re not suddenly “old” just because you’re over 25. Stop believing in toxic ageism that society constantly tries to reinforce

— Chrish (@mistachrish) August 13, 2020

Friendly reminder that ageism isn't okay. Look at someone's qualifications, their record, their character, their work with other people, and make your judgment. But leave age out of it.

— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 3, 2019

Try using ageism!

Is ageism used correctly in the following sentence?

“Ageism in the workplace can mean pushing someone to retire because of their age and nothing else.”