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

Example Sentences

Noun

Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But in its tone, format, and subject matter, the Jay Roach–directed HBO film evokes all the patriotic kumbaya-ism of Lin-Manuel Miranda production with none of the fun or artistic payoff. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2020

The Biden administration pleaded safety-ism to excuse its delay in shooting down the balloon. —WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023

At least 30 apartment developments stalled or were shelved across metro Phoenix in 2021 due to not-in-my-backyard-ism, zoning issues and political backlash. —AZCentral.com, 24 May 2022

Drake turns the introduction’s quintessential Drake-ism inward. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2023

In real- life, disdain for dog discharge was not an Otto-ism that Hanks can relate to. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023

Most of the doors open to reveal a Bob Ross-ism or meditation rather than a painting activity. —Katie Melynn, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2022

Biden started out the fall campaign season with a major speech about democracy in Philadelphia on September 1 that was a sharp attack on Donald Trump and MAGA-ism. —Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 21 Nov. 2022

Many candidates who embraced Trump-ism and election-denying fell short in competitive races. —James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Nov. 2022

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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

Video

2015 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Peter Sokolowski talks about the year's selections

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)