Prejudice
/ˈprɛdʒədɪs/
Definitions
2 meaningsA preconceived judgment or opinion, usually negative, formed without sufficient knowledge or consideration of the facts.
/ˈprɛdʒədɪs/
Her prejudice against people from a different country was obvious.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a new school and you automatically assume someone is unfriendly before you even talk to them. That's a prejudice—a quick judgment based on something you don't really know.
👶 For kids: When you decide something about someone before you even get to know them, that's prejudice.
More Examples
We need to combat the prejudice that exists within our community.
The company was accused of prejudice in its hiring practices.
How It's Used
"Sociologists study the causes and effects of racial prejudice."
"The judge instructed the jury to disregard any prejudice they may have about the defendant."
To cause harm or injury to someone or something; to impair.
/ˈprɛdʒədɪs/
The judge ruled that the evidence would prejudice the jury.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bad piece of evidence in a trial that ruins someone's chance to win their case. That evidence *prejudiced* the outcome.
👶 For kids: To hurt someone or something's chances.
More Examples
The new law could prejudice smaller businesses.
His statement was likely to prejudice the voters.
How It's Used
"The ruling prejudiced the defendant's case."
"The evidence prejudiced the jury against the defendant."
Synonyms
Bias
Bigotry
Discrimination
Intolerance
Damage
Disadvantage
Harm
Idioms & expressions
innocent until proven guilty
A legal principle stating that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
"The legal system is based on the principle of being innocent until proven guilty."
From Middle English *preiudice*, from Old French *prejudice* (noun), from Latin *praejudicium* ('prior judgment'), from *prae-* ('before') + *judicium* ('judgment'). The verb appeared later.
The concept of prejudice has been around for centuries, with early discussions in philosophy and law concerning biased judgments.
Memory tip
Imagine a *pre-* (before) *judgment* that isn't based on facts but on feelings or stereotypes.