body image

American  

noun

body images plural

1. an intellectual or idealized image of what one's body is or should be like that is sometimes misconceived in such mental disorders as anorexia nervosa.

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body image British  

noun

1. psychol an individual's concept of his or her own body

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• body images
  plural

Etymology

Origin of body image

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

A high-school athlete, she had ups and downs with body image and food after having two children, and buying new clothes for herself wasn’t a favorite exercise.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

Men and boys of all ages are increasingly focusing on appearance and body image, a domain long associated with women.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The cases center on users like Kaley G.M., the plaintiff in the Los Angeles case, who said she developed depression, chronic anxiety and body image issues from early and intense exposure to social media.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Ysabella Marin, a senior psychology major, said her research in the Future Scholars Program has focused on the impact of social media on men’s body image.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

I spent hours talking with them in a big circle, munching popcorn and trading our thoughts about college applications, body image, and boys.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama