prejudice
gb/pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs/ us/pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs/
B2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
Unfair opinion not based on facts
A bad opinion about a person or group that is not based on facts or experience.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has prejudice against [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prejudice' with 'prejudiced'. 'Prejudice' is the noun (the idea or feeling), while 'prejudiced' is the adjective describing a person who has it.
Synonyms
bias (Often used interchangeably, but 'bias' can be more neutral or unconscious, while 'prejudice' usually implies unfairness.)
|
discrimination ('Discrimination' refers more to actions based on prejudice, not just the opinion.)
Antonyms
fairness (Represents treating people equally without prejudice.)
|
open-mindedness (Willingness to consider new and different ideas without prejudice.)
Collocations
racial prejudice
|prejudice against women
|deep-seated prejudice
|overcome prejudice
|social prejudice
Themes
emotions
|society
|law
|relationships
Examples
- The new policy aims to reduce racial prejudice in the workplace.
- Her decision was influenced by prejudice rather than evidence.
- Prejudice against immigrants can harm community relations.
- He tried to challenge his own prejudice after meeting people from different cultures.
Learner examples
- She has prejudice against people from other countries.
- Prejudice can hurt many people.
- We must fight prejudice in our school.
- He showed prejudice toward her because she was young.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
Cause someone to hold unfair opinion
To make someone think badly about a person or thing without good reason.
Usage pattern:
to prejudice [someone] against [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the adjective 'prejudiced'. As a verb, it means to cause prejudice in someone else.
Synonyms
bias ('Bias' as a verb can mean to influence unfairly, but 'prejudice' is often used in legal or formal contexts.)
Antonyms
persuade fairly (Influencing someone with fair and factual information is the opposite of prejudicing them.)
Collocations
prejudice the jury
|prejudice public opinion
Themes
emotions
|society
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- The media coverage could prejudice the jury before the trial begins.
- His remarks were intended to prejudice voters against the policy.
- We must ensure that no one prejudices the committee's decision.
Learner examples
- The news may prejudice people against the group.
- Her words could prejudice the team against him.
- Do not let one story prejudice you against the company.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
Harm to someone's rights or situation
Harm or damage to someone's rights or good name.
Usage pattern:
without prejudice to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this formal/legal meaning with the more common meaning of unfair opinion. Context usually makes it clear.
Synonyms
detriment ('Detriment' is more general for harm; 'prejudice' in this sense is often legal.)
Antonyms
benefit (A positive effect on someone's rights or situation is the opposite of prejudice in this sense.)
Collocations
without prejudice
|to the prejudice of
Themes
law
Examples
- The statement was made without prejudice to her legal rights.
- Any delay will be to the prejudice of the claimant.
- They settled the dispute without prejudice to future claims.
Learner examples
- The contract ended without prejudice to his rights.
- This law change is to the prejudice of small companies.
- They spoke without prejudice to the agreement.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prejudice
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs/
US/pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs/
Syllables & stress
pre - ju - dice (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prejudice
- Plural: prejudice, prejudices
Verb
- Base: prejudice
- 3rd Person Singular: prejudices
- Present Participle: prejudicing
- Past: prejudiced
Word family
Forms
prejudices
noun
prejudicing
verb
prejudiced
verb
Related words
prejudge
verb C1
prejudgment
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unprejudiced
adjective
Advanced or less common
prejudicial
adjective
prejudicially
adverb
Expressions
in favour of without prejudice to
1/ˈɪn fˈeɪvɚ əv wɪðˈaʊt pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs tə/
fixed phrase
formal
Support while preserving other rights
To support something but still keep other rights or claims safe.
Examples
- They agreed in favour of the proposal, without prejudice to their existing contracts.
- In favour of the new policy, without prejudice to employee benefits.
without prejudice
1/wɪðˈaʊt pɹˈɛd͡ʒədɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
Not affecting legal rights or claims
Used in law to mean that something does not take away any legal rights or claims someone has.
Examples
- The offer was made without prejudice to any future legal action.
- You can discuss settlement terms without prejudice so they can't be used in court.