What does prejudicial mean?
Prejudicial means shaped by prejudice, especially in a way that unfairly favors some people or disadvantages others. It is most commonly used for judgments, attitudes, institutions, or actions that are biased or discriminatory, as in 'a prejudicial decision,' and it often carries a formal and accusatory tone. The word can also mean harmful or detrimental, particularly in legal and medical language, as in 'prejudicial to health.' In its principal sense, prejudicial describes conduct or perspectives that are not neutral and that may prevent people or groups from being judged on their merits. It is a useful word when the unfairness is not merely unfortunate or mistaken but connected to prejudice, although 'biased' or 'unfair' may be more direct in ordinary conversation.
adjectiveUnfairly biased or influenced by prejudice; showing hostility or discrimination toward a person or group. In legal and general contexts, it can also mean harmful or detrimental to something.
- Unfairly biased, discriminatory, or influenced by prejudice.
- Harmful or detrimental, especially in legal, medical, or formal contexts.
"The report criticized the proposal as prejudicial toward small businesses."
"The newspaper's editorial was criticized for its prejudicial portrayal of immigrants."
"Excessive screen time may be prejudicial to a child's health and well-being."
A prejudicial judgment is not merely an opinion: it can distort what people see before the evidence is even considered.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prejudicial come from?
The word is derived from the same root as 'prejudice' and 'prejudge.' Its ultimate source is Latin praejudicium, a term associated with prejudging or forming a judgment in advance; English developed 'prejudice' through Old French and later formed 'prejudicial' as an adjective. The related word 'judicial' comes from the Latin root for judging and shares the same broad Latin ancestry, though it has a different meaning and history.
Related word forms
How prejudicial is actually used
The word is especially common in formal, legal, and institutional contexts. When it means harmful, it is often used in the pattern 'prejudicial to' something; when it means biased, it commonly describes an attitude, decision, treatment, or portrayal.
Easily confused with prejudicial
Prejudice is the attitude or belief that gives rise to unfair treatment, whereas prejudicial is normally an adjective describing conduct, attitudes, or effects influenced by such a belief.