adjective

ableist

AY-buh-list

Ableist (adjective) means discriminating against disabled people, or assuming that being non-disabled is the normal and superior state. Example: “The building's design was criticised as ableist.”

adjective

Discriminating against disabled people, or assuming that being non-disabled is the normal and superior state.

"The building's design was criticised as ableist."

noun

A person who discriminates against disabled people.

"He was called out as an ableist."

How to Use Ableist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPrejudiced against disabled people, often without meaning to be.

When to use it

Critical term. Frequently used of systems and language rather than individuals.

Easily confused with

ableism

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The building's design was criticised as _____.

Etymology

From "able" plus "-ist," on the pattern of racist and sexist; the noun "ableism" and this adjective came into use through disability-rights activism in the late twentieth century.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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discriminatory

Related Words

sexist

Rhymes for ableist

heist theist Kleist atheist zeitgeist poltergeist

See all rhymes for ableist →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ableist mean?

Discriminating against disabled people, or treating non-disabled bodies and minds as the default. It covers open prejudice and, more often, assumptions built into language, design and policy.

What is an example of ableist language?

Using conditions as insults — calling a bad decision "insane," or a disliked idea "lame." Both borrow a disability as a synonym for something negative.

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