prejudiced
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of prejudiced
First recorded in 1570–90; prejudice ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Explanation
If you've decided that you don't like or trust someone before you've actually met them, you're prejudiced. It's unfortunately common to have prejudiced views of people who are different from you. It's prejudiced to have negative opinions about people because of their gender, religion, skin color, or the language they speak. It's equally prejudiced to say things like "She can't be very smart — her family is poor" or "They are so old, there's no way they'll think this movie is funny." Each of these statements reveals an unfair, preconceived idea of what someone is like based on one personal characteristic.
Vocabulary lists containing prejudiced
You Be the Judge: Jud, Jur, Jus
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The Catcher in the Rye
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Slam!
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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.
Abbott, who represents the Stoney Stanton and Croft division, said he was "not being prejudiced" or "tarring anyone" and was stating a concern "from his residents".
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026
Helder Barbalho, the governor of the state of Para, where Belem is located, slammed "the prejudiced" comments on the X social network.
From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025
In court documents reviewed by the New York Times, the defense has accused Halligan of “irregularities so severe and pervasivevthat they likely prejudiced the grand jurors’ narrow decision to indict.”
From Salon • Nov. 6, 2025
In his appeal, Hernandez argued that this instruction was inconsistent with legal precedent and had unfairly prejudiced the jury.
From BBC • Jul. 21, 2025
“You know, I never thought much about black people before I got into the army. I don’t think I was prejudiced or anything — I just didn’t think much about black people.”
From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
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.
