beauty contest

noun

1. 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.

2. Informal.,  any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.

beauty contest

noun

1. a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner

2. informal,  any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc

   the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest

Word History and Origins

Origin of beauty contest¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Born in Tunisia to Sicilian parents in April 1938, Cardinale won a beauty contest at 16 that saw her declared "the most beautiful Italian woman in Tunis".

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He did not see golf as any kind of beauty contest.

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He pushed her towards the limelight at an early age, entering her in the Miss UK beauty contest.

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She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious beauty contest.

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Or perhaps entering an international beauty contest with the ultimate aim of launching your modelling career on the world stage.

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