prejudice, assimilation, ritual, diversity, conformity: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 59. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. prejudice · noun/ˈprɛdʒədəs/

   forming a judgment about somebody or something that is not based on reason or experience

   Janice feared her parents' prejudice against same-sex couples would make them disapprove of her relationship with Melissa.

   Synonyms: bias, injustice, preconception

   Origin: Middle English (in prejudice (sense 2 of the noun)): from Old French, from Latin praejudicium, from prae ‘in advance’ + judicium ‘judgement’

2. assimilation · noun/əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n/

   taking on the customs of another, typically dominant, culture

   In the 1960s, the assimilation of Turkish people into German culture was far from successful as the language remained a significant barrier.

   Synonyms: absorption, acculturation

3. ritual · noun/ˈrɪtʃ(əw)əl/

   a traditional or religious ceremony

   It has been argued that funeral services remain one of the last modern rituals, bringing community together to share the burden of loss.

   Synonyms: ceremony, rite

   Origin: late 16th century (as an adjective): from Latin ritualis, from ritus (see rite)

4. diversity · noun/dəˈvərsədi/

   the presence of different cultures, religions, or other characteristics of identity

   The professor asked students to bring in tokens from their culture to celebrate the diversity in the classroom.

   Synonyms: difference, variety

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French diversite, from Latin diversitas, from diversus ‘diverse’, past participle of divertere ‘turn aside’ (see divert)

5. conformity · noun/kənˈfɔrmədi/

   the following of a norm or behavior that is usually dominant

   Daniel struggled with the culture at the boarding school that required strict conformity in appearance.

   Synonyms: obedience, compliance, accordance

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French conformite or late Latin conformitas, from conformare ‘to form, fashion’ (see conform)