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

And certainly, the kind of extreme, celebrity-endorsed diet hack that would have done irreparable damage to my younger self’s own body image and understanding of healthy eating.

From Salon • May 17, 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

Tilly had seen various therapists over the years but none which specialised in body image.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

“HPV vaccines, Plan B, body image counseling,” I said.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely