bias

[ bahy-uhs ]

See synonyms for bias on Thesaurus.com

noun

a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned: illegal bias against older job applicants;the magazine’s bias toward art rather than photography;our strong bias in favor of the idea.
unreasonably hostile feelings or opinions about a social group; prejudice: accusations of racial bias.

an oblique or diagonal line of direction, especially across a woven fabric.
Statistics. a systematic as opposed to a random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.
Lawn Bowling.
- a slight bulge or greater weight on one side of the ball or bowl.
- the curved course made by such a ball when rolled.
Electronics. the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.
a high-frequency alternating current applied to the recording head of a tape recorder during recording in order to reduce distortion.

adjective

cut, set, folded, etc., diagonally: This material requires a bias cut.

adverb

in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly: to cut material bias.

verb (used with object),bi·ased, bi·as·ing or (especially British) bi·assed, bi·as·sing.

to cause to hold or exhibit a particular bias; to influence, especially unfairly: a tearful plea designed to bias the jury;a survey biased toward highly educated people.
Electronics. to apply a steady voltage or current to (the input of an active device).

Idioms about bias

on the bias,
- in the diagonal direction of the cloth.
- out of line; slanting.

Origin of bias

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French biais “oblique,” from Old Provençal, probably from Vulgar Latin (e)bigassius (unrecorded), from Greek epikársios “oblique,” equivalent to epi- epi- + -karsios “oblique”

synonym study For bias

1. Bias, prejudice mean a strong inclination of the mind or a preconceived opinion about something or someone. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. Prejudice implies a preformed judgment even more unreasoning than bias, and usually implies an unfavorable opinion: prejudice against people of another religion.

Other words for bias

1	predisposition, preconception, predilection, partiality, proclivity; bent, leaning
10	predispose, bend, incline, dispose

See synonyms for bias on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for bias

1	impartiality

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Other words from bias

sub·bi·as, noun
su·per·bi·as, noun

Words Nearby bias

Other definitions for Bias (2 of 2)

Bias

[ bahy-uhs ]

noun

flourished 570 b.c., Greek philosopher, born in Ionia.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bias in a sentence

Community activists attack racial bias in policing, so police get defensive?
The St. Louis Rams Enter the Ferguson Fray | Sally Kohn | December 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Unless there is “a clear national security or law enforcement need,” the bias would lean toward disclosure.
How Obama Endangered Us All With Stuxnet | Kim Zetter | November 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“There was definitely some bias built up there that was based on my past success and previous exposure,” he says.
Nick Jonas Is All Grown Up, Clutching His Penis and Everything | Kevin Fallon | October 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Indeed, at least one study showed that people who watch the program develop more bias against the obese.
‘The Biggest Loser’ Could Be TV’s Most Important Show Ever | Daniela Drake | September 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
There is a pro-cable bias that seems to forgive so-so shows and so-so series and judges network series harshly.
‘The Good Wife’ Creators on the Premiere’s Big Cary Twist, Will’s Death, and More | Kevin Fallon | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Dr. bias deserves the more credit for his progress in life, as he is entirely self-made.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States | Martin R. Delany
Perhaps the following consideration will render both the "bias" and the "first-cousinship" at least intelligible.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8 | Various
I endeavoured to divest myself of all selfish bias, and loved more and more to inquire into religious subjects.
Fox's Book of Martyrs | John Foxe
He not only knocked off a bias patch of skin, but gave me a couple of black eyes that kept me at home for a week.
The Red Cow and Her Friends | Peter McArthur
The majority believe that the Church has a capitalistic bias.
The Necessity of Atheism | Dr. D.M. Brooks

British Dictionary definitions for bias

bias

/ (ˈbaɪəs) /

noun

mental tendency or inclination, esp an irrational preference or prejudice
a diagonal line or cut across the weave of a fabric

electronics the voltage applied to an electronic device or system to establish suitable working conditions
bowls
- a bulge or weight inside one side of a bowl
- the curved course of such a bowl on the green
statistics
- an extraneous latent influence on, unrecognized conflated variable in, or selectivity in a sample which influences its distribution and so renders it unable to reflect the desired population parameters
- if T is an estimator of the parameter θ, the expected value of (T–θ)
an inaudible high-frequency signal used to improve the quality of a tape recording

adjective

slanting obliquely; diagonal: a bias fold

adverb

obliquely; diagonally

verb-ases, -asing, -ased, -asses, -assing or -assed (tr)

(usually passive) to cause to have a bias; prejudice; influence

Origin of bias

C16: from Old French biais, from Old Provençal, perhaps ultimately from Greek epikarsios oblique

Derived forms of bias

biased or biassed, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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