ism

1 of 2

noun

ˈi-zəm 

1

: a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory

2

: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief

we all have got to come to grips with our isms

—Joycelyn Elders

-ism

2 of 2

noun suffix

1

a

: act : practice : process

criticism

plagiarism

b

: manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing

animalism

c

: prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute

racism

sexism

2

a

: state : condition : property

barbarianism

b

: abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing

alcoholism

or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing

giantism

3

a

: doctrine : theory : religion

Buddhism

b

: adherence to a system or a class of principles

stoicism

4

: characteristic or peculiar feature or trait

colloquialism

Examples of ism in a Sentence

Noun

Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms.

ageism, racism, sexism, and all the other familiar isms

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His ‘Jack-isms’ are priceless and always made every situation lighter and funnier. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

The video is a tour through various eras of showgirl-ism. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025

Silver might be comforted by the fact that even many liberals who had fled for Bluesky seem to be embracing X-ism once more, creeping back onto the platform with a certain furtive guilt. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025

Of all the various isms proposed to capture Trump’s ideology, social Darwinism has perhaps the most explanatory power. —Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

-ism

Noun suffix

Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism

Kids Definition

ism

1 of 2 noun

ˈiz-əm 

1

: a distinctive belief, cause, or theory

2

: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief

-ism

2 of 2 noun suffix

ˌiz-əm

1

a

: act : practice : process

criticism

plagiarism

b

: manner of action or behavior

heroism

2

a

: state : condition : property

skepticism

b

: abnormal state or condition

alcoholism

3

: doctrine : theory : cult

Buddhism

socialism

4

: characteristic or peculiar feature

colloquialism

Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Greek -isma and Greek -ismos (noun suffixes)