discriminate
/dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/- 1.
To treat a person or group unfairly because of characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or age. This is the most common meaning in modern English.
- The law makes it illegal to discriminate against pregnant women.
- He felt the school had discriminated against him unfairly.
- Companies must not discriminate based on age or disability.
- 2.
To notice and understand clear differences between things or people. This older, more formal meaning is still used in academic writing.
- Experts can discriminate between genuine and fake artwork.
- The test helps teachers discriminate between strong and weak readers.
Adinary Nuance
The closest near-neighbors of discriminate (unfair treatment sense) are bias, prejudice, and stereotype — but there is an important practical difference. Bias and prejudice describe internal attitudes: feelings or views a person holds privately. Discriminate describes the action taken because of those feelings — treating someone differently in an observable, often illegal way. You can hold a prejudice without ever discriminating, but discrimination is always an active behavior. In IELTS and academic writing, 'discriminate' carries formal legal weight that phrases like 'be biased' or 'be prejudiced' simply do not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phân biệt đối xử
- Spanish
- discriminar
- Chinese
- 歧视
- Japanese
- 差別する
- Korean
- 차별하다
Etymology
From Latin 'discriminare' (to separate, divide), rooted in 'discrimen' (a distinction). The word entered English in the 17th century first meaning 'to distinguish,' with the 'unfair treatment' sense becoming dominant by the 20th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'discriminate' always a negative word?
- Not always. 'Discriminate against' someone is negative and means treating them unfairly. But 'discriminate between' two things is neutral — it simply means telling them apart carefully. In everyday use, the negative meaning is far more common.
- What is the difference between 'discriminate' and 'prejudice'?
- Prejudice is an attitude — an unfair feeling or opinion about a group. Discriminate is an action — actually treating that group differently because of that feeling. You can be prejudiced without discriminating, but discrimination usually stems from prejudice.
- How do I use 'discriminate' correctly in IELTS writing?
- In IELTS essays, always pair it with 'against' when you mean unfair treatment: 'discriminate against minorities.' For the neutral sense, use 'between': 'the ability to discriminate between fact and opinion.' Avoid using it alone without a preposition.
- Is 'discriminate' a formal word?
- Yes, it is formal and suits academic writing, news articles, and legal or policy contexts well. In casual speech, people more often say 'treat someone unfairly.' 'Discriminate' is stronger and more precise, carrying clear legal implications.