What does racist mean?
A racist is someone who believes that people should be treated differently, judged, or ranked because of race or ethnicity. As an adjective, “racist” describes attitudes, policies, language, institutions, and acts that are based on racial prejudice or discrimination. The term is serious and is used in both formal and everyday discussion whenever racial hostility, exclusion, or unequal treatment is being identified. It should not be confused with “racial,” which can describe a neutral feature of a person, event, or distinction, such as racial equality or racial identity. As a noun, “racist” is a strongly derogatory label for a person who endorses or practices such prejudice, so it is generally used deliberately in condemnation rather than as an incidental insult.
Expressing or involving prejudice against people because of their race or ethnicity.
"The policy was condemned as racist because it favored one racial group over another."
Common in both formal and informal registers; it may describe attitudes, behavior, institutions, policies, or language.
A person who holds or expresses prejudice against people because of their race or ethnicity.
"Campaigners demanded that the racist be held accountable for the harassment."
Strongly derogatory and generally used as an explicit moral or legal condemnation rather than as a casual insult.
A racist is not merely someone who notices race; the word identifies prejudice, hostility, or discrimination directed at people because of race.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does racist come from?
The adjective and noun “racist” are formed from “race” with the suffix “-ist,” a suffix that can indicate a person associated with a particular characteristic, belief, or activity. “Race” entered English from Old French “race,” ultimately derived from Latin vocabulary connected with lineage, origin, and kind. The combination “racist” became established in the modern period, especially during the 20th century as racial hierarchy and political racism were widely discussed and opposed.
Related word forms
How racist is actually used
The adjective is widely used in formal and informal contexts. As a noun, it is strongly derogatory and generally reserved for explicitly condemning racist people, ideas, or behavior; avoid using it as a casual insult.
Easily confused with racist
“Racist” describes prejudice or discrimination, whereas “racial” simply relates to race, as in “racial equality.”