noun

chauvinist

shō′v(ĭ)nĭst

noun

A person with an exaggerated, biased belief in the superiority of their own group, often used specifically for someone with sexist attitudes toward the opposite sex.

"He was called out for being a chauvinist after dismissing his colleague's ideas."

"The old-fashioned chauvinist assumed the women in the office would handle the coffee."

adj

Showing excessive, biased loyalty to one's own group or gender.

"His chauvinist remarks about women drivers didn't go over well."

How to Use Chauvinist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone excessively and unfairly biased in favour of their own group — most often heard today as "male chauvinist," meaning a sexist man.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with a Calvinist (a follower of the religious reformer Calvin) — different word, different origin, despite the similar sound.

Easily confused with

calvinist

Common pairings

male chauvinist chauvinist attitude

Word Forms

more chauvinist comparative, chauvinists plural, most chauvinist superlative

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He was called out for being a _____ after dismissing his colleague's ideas.

Etymology

Named after Nicolas Chauvin, a (possibly legendary) French soldier famous for his fanatical devotion to Napoleon; the word later broadened from extreme patriotism to any excessive, biased loyalty, especially "male chauvinist" for sexist men.

Rhymes for chauvinist

feminist violinist

See all rhymes for chauvinist →