# racism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹeɪsɪzm̩/ · frequency rank #4,703

## Definitions
1. The belief that there are distinct human races with inherent differences which determine their abilities, and generally that some are superior and others inferior.
2. The policies, practices, or systems (e.g. government or political) promoting this belief or promoting the dominance of one or more races over others.
3. Prejudice or discrimination based upon race or ethnicity; (countable) an action of such discrimination.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French racisme, equivalent to race + -ism.

## Easily confused with
- **raise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-raise)
- **racks** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-racks)
- **Rahim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-rahim)
- **racist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-racist)
- **rapist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-rapist)
- **radium** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-radium)
- **radish** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-radish)
- **realism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racism-vs-realism)
- **races** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/races-vs-racism)
- **racing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racing-vs-racism)
- **racial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racial-vs-racism)
- **Racine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racine-vs-racism)

## Common misspellings (9)
`arcism`, `raccism`, `racims`, `racismm`, `racissm`, `racsim`, `raicsm`, `rcaism`, `rracism`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/racism