lookism

American  

[look-iz-uhm] / ˈlʊk ɪz əm /

noun

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

---

lookism British  

/ ˈlʊkɪzəm /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• lookist adjective

Etymology

Origin of lookism

First recorded in 1985–1990

Example Sentences

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

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

From Washington Post

Incels share a belief that they are victims of "lookism."

From Salon

Lookism means that attractive people receive advantages, while unattractive people are the targets of prejudice.

From Salon