body image

American  

noun

1. an intellectual or idealized image of what one's body is or should be like that is sometimes misconceived in such mental disorders as anorexia nervosa.

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body image British  

noun

1. psychol an individual's concept of his or her own body

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Etymology

Origin of body image

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The cases center on users like Kaley G.M., the plaintiff in the Los Angeles case, who said she developed depression, chronic anxiety and body image issues from early and intense exposure to social media.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Ysabella Marin, a senior psychology major, said her research in the Future Scholars Program has focused on the impact of social media on men’s body image.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

"I've struggled with my body image for a lot of my life, as I'm sure most people have," he wrote.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

"I think there's an unprecedented pressure," Dr Kirsty Garbett, a body image expert from the Centre of Appearance Research at the University of West England, explains.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

“HPV vaccines, Plan B, body image counseling,” I said.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely