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

Both Aurora and Apollo are rebels at heart, pushing against the various isms that seek to put them in a box. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025

All kinds of isms that happen that sort of invade the purity of that love. —Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024

Like any other ism, ageism is complex and layered, with stereotyping taking several forms. —Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

For Mearsheimer, analysis of the three isms ultimately provides an alternative route to arrive at the conclusion that a strategy of liberal hegemony is bound to fail—and has, in fact, failed for the United States. —Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018

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)