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Bias

/ˈbaɪəs/

nounverbB2

Definition

Bias is when a person or group prefers one idea, person, or thing more than another, often without good reason or fairness. This can affect how they think, decide, or act. As a verb, bias means to cause someone or something to have this unfair preference.

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⚡ See It in Action

A tendency to prefer or dislike something unfairly (noun)

  • •The news article showed a clear bias toward one political party.
  • •Teachers should avoid bias when grading students.
  • •Cultural bias can affect how people see others from different backgrounds.

To influence someone or something unfairly (verb)

  • •The judge was biased by personal feelings.
  • •The survey was biased because it only asked certain people.
  • •Advertising can bias consumers to buy certain products.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "bias" like "like" or "dislike" (A1 words), but stronger and often unfair—it's a hidden or unfair preference
  • ✓Picture a scale that should be balanced but is tilted to one side because of a hidden weight pushing it down
  • ✓It's the feeling when you think one team is better just because you like their colors, not because of their skill
  • ✓Sounds like "BY-us" → imagine someone whispering "buy us" to choose one side unfairly in a game
  • ✓Think of a referee in a game who secretly favors one player—this is bias in action
  • ✓NOT like "fair" (equal and just)—bias is unfair and one-sided
  • ✓NOT like "preference" (which can be fair)—bias usually means unfair or hidden preference
  • ✓NOT like "choice" (free decision)—bias means the choice is influenced by unfair feelings or ideas

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Prejudice: an unfair feeling or opinion about someone or something (Use when talking about unfair opinions, often about people)
  • •Partiality: favoring one side over another (Use when the focus is on showing clear support for one side)
  • •Preference: liking one thing more than another (Use when the feeling is fair and open, not hidden or unfair)
  • •Influence: to affect how someone thinks or acts (Use when focusing on the effect, not the fairness)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; "bias" is a root word
  • •Etymology: From Old French "biais" meaning "slant, oblique," from the Latin "biare" (to go sideways)
  • •Historical development: Originally meant a slant or angle, later used figuratively for unfair leaning or preference
  • •Modern usage: Used in psychology, media, law, and everyday speech to describe unfair preferences or influences
  • •Key insight: The idea of "slant" or "tilt" helps remember it means leaning unfairly to one side