pretty privilege

[prit-ee priv-lij, priv-uh-lij]

noun

1. an unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a person has by fitting into the beauty standards of their culture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretty privilege¹

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

Ellie also believes one of the reasons she went undiagnosed until the age of 24 was down to what she calls "pretty privilege".

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Although Johnson's research suggests that women with pretty privilege tend to be aware that people are often nicer to them as a result of their attractiveness, they also encounter unflattering generalizations about their personality because of unfounded assumptions based on their looks.

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Instead of being ignored or rejected by the men that she liked, Stacie felt she had pretty privilege, a term for the social benefits that accrue to individuals widely regarded as physically attractive.

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This observation is true, but it does not numb the sting of losing pretty privilege after gaining weight.

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Looking back, she has advice for people who fear they have lost pretty privilege — never give up on striving to be the best possible version of yourself.

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