lookism
Judging by looks
Lookism is discrimination or prejudice based on physical appearance—favoring attractive people and disadvantaging those deemed unattractive.
The term parallels racism and sexism, framing appearance-based bias as a form of systemic unfairness: Lookism in hiring means attractive candidates get more callbacks.
The word emerged from feminist and fat-acceptance movements in the 1970s and 1980s.
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
exclusion · marginalization · employment · promotion · harassment · bullying · victimization · ostracism
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
unfairness · exclusion · marginalization · employment · promotion · harassment · bullying · victimization · ostracism · judgmentalism
- beautymakeup, cosmetics, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner
- ageismageism, age discrimination, elder abuse, elder neglect, adultism
- objectificationsexualization, objectification, dehumanization, commodification, male gaze
- biasprejudice, racism, bigotry, sexism, ageism
- weight biasfat shaming, fat-shaming, fatphobia, weight stigma, weight discrimination
lookismmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
blind audition · inner beauty · egalitarianism · impartiality · fairness
- looking forTrying to find
- looking upImproving or skyward gazing
- looking goodAppearing attractive or favorable
- looking downDirecting sight lower
- looking forwardExpecting something eagerly
- looking forward toEagerly awaiting something pleasant