noun

ism

IZ-uhm

Ism (noun) means a distinctive belief system, doctrine or movement, especially one treated as rigid or fashionable; usually used dismissively and often in the plural. Example: “He had no patience for isms of any kind.”

noun

informal A distinctive belief system, doctrine or movement, especially one treated as rigid or fashionable; usually used dismissively and often in the plural.

"He had no patience for isms of any kind."

"The course races through a century of isms, from cubism to postmodernism."

informal A form of prejudice or discrimination based on a group characteristic, such as racism, sexism or ageism, referred to collectively.

"The policy is meant to tackle all the isms at once."

"Training covered the usual isms plus a section on ableism."

suffix

A word ending used to form nouns meaning a doctrine, a practice, a condition, or a characteristic feature of speech.

"Add -ism to social and you get socialism."

"'Y'all' is a well-known Americanism."

How to use ism

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA set of beliefs, or the word-ending you stick on the end to name one.

When to use it

The standalone noun is informal and often sceptical; the suffix is entirely neutral.

Memory tip

The plural is isms, and the suffix is normally written with a hyphen in front when discussed on its own: -ism.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

-ism vs -ist -ism vs -ology

Common pairings

all the isms isms and schisms every -ism you can name

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He had no patience for _____ of any kind.

Etymology

A noun formed from the suffix -ism, which reached English through Latin from Greek -ismos, used to form nouns of action, condition or doctrine.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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doctrine ideology creed movement -ology

Related words

law credit campaign activity traffic religion teaching flow

Rhymes for ism

prism

See all rhymes for ism →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between -ism and -ist?

An -ism is the belief, system or practice itself, while an -ist is a person who holds it or does it. Buddhism is the religion; a Buddhist is a follower. The same pair runs through capitalism and capitalist, art and artist.

Is ism a real word on its own?

Yes. It has been used as a standalone noun for well over two centuries, normally with a sceptical tone, as in 'he distrusts all isms'. It is informal but perfectly standard.

Does -ism always mean a belief?

No. It also forms words for conditions such as alcoholism and botulism, for practices such as journalism, and for characteristic bits of language such as a colloquialism or a Freudian slip described as a Freudianism.

What is the meaning of ism?

"ism" (noun) means a distinctive belief system, doctrine or movement, especially one treated as rigid or fashionable; usually used dismissively and often in the plural.

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