discrimination
gb/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/ us/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
unfair treatment by identity
Unfair treatment of a person or group because of who they are (for example, their race, sex, or age).
Usage pattern:
discrimination against [group]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'discrimination' (action) with 'prejudice' (attitude). Also, use the preposition 'against': say 'discrimination against women,' not 'discrimination to women.' As a general idea it is usually uncountable; avoid 'a discrimination' when you mean the general practice.
Synonyms
unequal treatment (Plain description of the act; neutral tone.)
|
bias (Tendency that results in unfair treatment; broader and can be subtle.)
|
prejudice (Often the attitude behind discrimination; can also mean action in context.)
Antonyms
equal treatment (Direct opposite: treating people the same regardless of identity.)
|
fairness (General principle of just and impartial treatment.)
|
equality (State or principle of being equal in status, rights, or opportunities.)
Collocations
racial discrimination
|gender discrimination
|age discrimination
|illegal discrimination
|combat discrimination
|face discrimination
Themes
society
|law
|workplace
|relationships
Examples
- The report found widespread discrimination against older applicants in hiring.
- She filed a complaint alleging gender discrimination at her workplace.
- Laws exist to protect tenants from housing discrimination based on family status.
- They launched a campaign to end racial discrimination in schools.
Learner examples
- He spoke out against discrimination against immigrants.
- Age discrimination is illegal in many countries.
- The new policy aims to reduce discrimination in hiring.
- She sued the company for sex discrimination.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
ability to tell differences
The skill to see or judge small differences between things.
Usage pattern:
discrimination between [A] and [B]
Common mistake:
Many learners think 'discrimination' is always negative. In formal contexts, it can mean a positive skill of careful judgment. Use 'between' to compare two things: 'discrimination between quality and hype.'
Synonyms
discernment (Judicious recognition; often positive and approving.)
|
acuity (Sharpness of perception; more sensory or mental sharpness.)
|
taste (Judgment in art or style; narrower, evaluative focus.)
Antonyms
insensitivity (Lack of ability to notice differences or subtleties.)
|
indiscrimination (Lack of selection or distinction; rare in modern use.)
Collocations
keen discrimination
|fine discrimination
|visual discrimination
|taste discrimination
|exercise discrimination
|with discrimination
Themes
cognition
|senses
|art
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A good editor shows discrimination between essential details and clutter.
- The test measures color discrimination in low light.
- Her discrimination in choosing suppliers saved the company money.
Learner examples
- Wine experts need discrimination to judge flavor.
- The machine has fine discrimination between similar sounds.
- He read with discrimination and checked the sources.
Noun
technical
C1
action
3
differential pricing practice
In economics, charging different people different prices for the same or similar product or service.
Usage pattern:
price discrimination between [customers]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this economic meaning with unfair treatment of people. Here it is about pricing strategy and may be legal or illegal depending on the context.
Synonyms
differential pricing (Plain description; used in business contexts.)
|
dynamic pricing (Related but not identical; prices vary over time, not necessarily by customer.)
Antonyms
uniform pricing (Same price for all customers.)
|
single pricing (One price regardless of buyer or segment.)
Collocations
price discrimination
|engage in price discrimination
|ban on price discrimination
|first-degree price discrimination
|third-degree price discrimination
Themes
economics
|business
|law
|finance
Examples
- Airlines rely on price discrimination to maximize revenue from the same flight.
- The regulator investigated whether the platform’s fees amounted to unlawful price discrimination.
- Student discounts are a simple form of price discrimination across customer groups.
Learner examples
- Movie theaters use price discrimination with child tickets.
- The company engaged in price discrimination between regions.
- Some countries ban certain kinds of price discrimination.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discrimination
IPA
GB/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
US/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
dis - crim - in - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: discrimination
- Plural: discrimination, discriminations
Word family
Forms
discriminations
noun
Core family
discriminate
verb B2
discriminatory
adjective B2
Related words
discriminating
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
indiscriminate
adjective
indiscriminately
adverb
nondiscrimination
noun
Expressions
age discrimination
1/ˈeɪd͡ʒ dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment by age
Unfair treatment of someone because they are young or old.
Examples
- Age discrimination makes it hard for older workers to find jobs.
- The firm settled an age discrimination claim for a large sum.
anti-discrimination law
1/ˈæntaɪ dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
formal
law against discrimination
A law that protects people from unfair treatment.
Examples
- The country strengthened its anti-discrimination law.
- Under anti-discrimination law, employers must provide reasonable accommodations.
ban on discrimination
1/bˈæn ˈɔn dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
official prohibition of discrimination
A law or rule that does not allow discrimination.
Examples
- The constitution includes a broad ban on discrimination.
- Activists called for a ban on discrimination in housing.
disability discrimination
1/dˌɪsəbˈɪlɪti dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
unfair treatment by disability
Unfair treatment of people because they have a disability.
Examples
- The law bans disability discrimination in public services.
- They redesigned the building to avoid disability discrimination.
discrimination against
1/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment of a group
Unfair treatment aimed at a certain group of people.
Examples
- The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
- They are investigating discrimination against migrant workers.
discrimination on the grounds of
1/dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən ˈɔn ðə ɡɹˈaʊndz əv/
fixed phrase
formal
discrimination based on a trait
A formal way to say discrimination because of a certain reason (for example, age or race).
Examples
- The act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of age.
- They documented discrimination on the grounds of religion.
employment discrimination
1/ɪmplˈɔɪmənt dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
unfair treatment at work
Unfair treatment in jobs, pay, or promotions.
Examples
- The agency investigates employment discrimination complaints.
- Training is required to prevent employment discrimination.
gender discrimination
1/d͡ʒˈɛndɚ dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment by gender
Unfair treatment of people because they are male, female, or another gender.
Examples
- She filed a lawsuit for gender discrimination after being passed over for promotion.
- The policy aims to eliminate gender discrimination in pay.
housing discrimination
1/hˈaʊzɪŋ dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
unfair treatment in housing
Unfair treatment when people try to rent or buy a home.
Examples
- The city launched a probe into housing discrimination by landlords.
- They offer free legal help to victims of housing discrimination.
illegal discrimination
1/ɪlˈiɡəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
unlawful unfair treatment
Discrimination that is not allowed by law.
Examples
- The court ruled that the company engaged in illegal discrimination.
- Postings that exclude certain ages may be illegal discrimination.
non-discrimination policy
1/nˈɑn dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
formal
policy forbidding discrimination
A rule that says the organization will not allow discrimination.
Examples
- All employees must read the non-discrimination policy.
- The university updated its non-discrimination policy to include veterans.
positive discrimination
1/pˈɑzɪtɪv dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
preferential treatment for equity
A British term for giving preference to disadvantaged groups to improve fairness.
Examples
- Some countries permit positive discrimination in public hiring.
- The measure stops short of positive discrimination but sets targets.
price discrimination
1/pɹˈaɪs dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
charging different prices
When a seller charges different people different prices for the same product or service.
Examples
- Student discounts are a basic form of price discrimination.
- Authorities examined whether the platform’s price discrimination was anti-competitive.
religious discrimination
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment by religion
Unfair treatment of people because of their religion or beliefs.
Examples
- They condemned religious discrimination in the region.
- Religious discrimination complaints rose last year.
reverse discrimination
1/ɹɪvˈɚs dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment of majority group
A claim that a policy unfairly hurts a group that is usually advantaged.
Examples
- The lawsuit alleges reverse discrimination against white applicants.
- Debate over the policy centered on fears of reverse discrimination.
racial discrimination
1/ɹˈeɪʃəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
unfair treatment because of race
Treating people unfairly or giving them fewer chances because of their race or ethnic group.
Examples
- The commission documented cases of racial discrimination in hiring.
- The law prohibits racial discrimination in housing and employment.
- Racial discrimination remains a serious issue in many countries.
- They launched a campaign to raise awareness about racial discrimination in schools.
- She filed a complaint after facing racial discrimination at work.
unlawful discrimination
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
discrimination forbidden by law
Discrimination against a person or group that is not allowed by law, usually because of things like race, sex, age, disability, or religion.
Examples
- The company was found guilty of unlawful discrimination against older workers.
- New rules aim to prevent unlawful discrimination in access to housing.
unlawful discrimination
2/ʌnlˈɔfəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
discrimination forbidden by law
Discrimination that the law says is not allowed.
Examples
- Training helps staff avoid unlawful discrimination.
- They allege unlawful discrimination under state law.