Word of the day · 29 May 2026
bias
/ˈbaɪəs/
noun
A leaning that skews judgment toward or against something, often unfairly or without full evidence.
In a sentence
- The study tried to reduce bias by hiding applicants’ names.
- Her bias toward early mornings shaped the whole schedule.
- Critics accused the headline of political bias.
In an image
Origin
From Old French biais (slant, oblique), likely from a word for a slope; English kept the idea of a slanted line of thought.
History
Tailors once spoke of cutting on the bias, across the grain. The mental sense followed: judgment that does not sit square. Science later named cognitive biases as predictable thinking shortcuts. News readers search bias when they want language for slant in coverage, hiring or their own habits. The word can describe a mild preference or a systemic unfairness, depending on scale.
Nearby words
prejudice · slant · partiality
The tilt in how we notice, weigh and decide.