beauty contest
Americannoun
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a competition in which the entrants, usually women, are judged as to physical beauty and sometimes personality and talent, with the winners awarded prizes or titles.
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Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.
noun
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a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner
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informal any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc
the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest
Etymology
Origin of beauty contest
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Seleção played free-flowing, artistic soccer, turning the game into a beauty contest as much as a cutthroat competition en route to lifting the trophy a record five times.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious beauty contest.
From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2024
Westminster has long faced protests from animal rights activists who view the competition as a deplorable canine beauty contest fueling faddish puppy buying and reckless breeding.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2024
When the military seized power, 23-year-old Han Lay was a model about to take part in an international beauty contest in Thailand.
From Reuters ● Jan. 31, 2023
A lady comes out of the house with long flaming-red hair and wearing enough makeup for a whole beauty contest.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
