noun

prejudice

PREHD-zhuh-dihs

noun

An unfair opinion or attitude formed in advance, without real knowledge or evidence.

"He judged the candidate with obvious prejudice before the interview even started."

"The report highlighted racial prejudice within the hiring process."

verb

To cause bias in someone, or to damage a case, chance, or outcome.

"The leaked photo could prejudice the jury against the defendant."

"Missing the deadline may prejudice your claim."

How to Use Prejudice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA biased opinion held before knowing the facts, or (as a verb) to harm someone's chances unfairly.

Common mistake

In legal English, "without prejudice" means a statement can't be used against you later — a very different sense from everyday "prejudice" as bias.

Common pairings

racial prejudice without prejudice prejudice against

prejudiced past tense, prejudices plural, prejudices singular

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Can you complete this real example?

He judged the candidate with obvious _____ before the interview even started.

From Old French prejudice, from Latin praeiudicium ("a prior judgment or injury"), from prae- ("before") plus iudicium ("judgment").

bigotry bias chauvinism clannishness discrimination inequality inequity intolerance jaundiced eye narrow-mindedness one-sidedness partisanship

disinterest equality equity fairness impartiality tolerance

interest balance desire bias equity favor discrimination inconsistency

ice rice mice dice nice vice voice price twice juice spice Alice

bigotry bias chauvinism clannishness discrimination inequality inequity intolerance jaundiced eye narrow-mindedness one-sidedness partisanship