noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

sexism

SEHK-sihzm

Sexism (noun) means Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex, especially against women. Example: “The report exposed widespread sexism in the company's hiring practices.”

noun

Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex, especially against women.

"The report exposed widespread sexism in the company's hiring practices."

"She spoke out against the casual sexism she faced at work."

How to use sexism

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnfair treatment or belief that one sex is inferior or superior to the other.

Common pairings

casual sexism workplace sexism call out sexism

Word forms

sexisms plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “sexism” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The report exposed widespread _____ in the company's hiring practices.

Etymology

Formed from sex plus the suffix -ism, modeled on words like racism.

Frequently asked questions

What does “sexism” mean?

The word “sexism” means prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex, especially against women. In plain terms, unfair treatment or belief that one sex is inferior or superior to the other.

How do you pronounce “sexism”?

“Sexism” is pronounced SEHK-sihzm (/ˈsɛksɪzm̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “sexism” in a sentence?

Here is “sexism” used in a sentence: “The report exposed widespread sexism in the company's hiring practices.”

What part of speech is “sexism”?

“Sexism” is a noun.

Is “sexism” a common word?

“Sexism” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include sexism:

Words that end with M