bigot
C1Formal to Informal (most common in serious or critical discussion)
Definition
Meaning
A person who is obstinately and unreasonably attached to a belief, opinion, or faction, especially one who is intolerant of the beliefs, opinions, or ways of life of others.
A person who exhibits prejudice and intolerance, particularly on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, politics, or gender.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies a deep-seated, often irrational prejudice that is not easily changed by evidence or reason. It carries a strong negative connotation of close-mindedness and is a term of strong moral condemnation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are standard. Usage is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in serious media and discourse in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bigot + about + NOUN/PHRASE (e.g., bigot about religion)bigot + against + NOUN/PHRASE (e.g., bigot against immigrants)ADJECTIVE + bigot (e.g., racist bigot)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) blind/stubborn as a bigot”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in discussions of workplace diversity, discrimination, or ethics (e.g., 'The company has a zero-tolerance policy for bigots.').
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, and history to describe figures or ideologies marked by prejudice and intolerance.
Everyday
Used in serious conversations to strongly criticize someone's prejudiced views.
Technical
Not a technical term. Used descriptively in social sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The group was accused of bigoting against travellers.
- He tends to bigot his views on immigration.
American English
- The faction was bigoting against any form of compromise.
- She bigoted her political stance relentlessly.
adverb
British English
- He argued bigotly against the new legislation.
- She behaved bigotly towards her neighbours.
American English
- He spoke bigotly about the proposed changes.
- The policy was bigotly enforced.
adjective
British English
- He spouted a series of bigot remarks during the council meeting.
- Their policy was seen as fundamentally bigot.
American English
- She couldn't tolerate his bigot attitudes any longer.
- The editorial was filled with bigot rhetoric.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is not a nice man; he is a bigot.
- My teacher says we should not be bigots.
- The politician was called a bigot because of his offensive comments.
- A true bigot never listens to other people's opinions.
- His reputation as a religious bigot made him unelectable in the diverse constituency.
- She exposed him for the intolerant bigot he truly was.
- The regime's policies were shaped by the unyielding dogma of its bigoted ideologues.
- His bigotry wasn't just a personal flaw; it was a corrosive force within the community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BIG-OT (like a big, old truck) that is stuck in the mud and cannot move or change direction, just as a bigot's mind is stuck in prejudice.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BIGOT IS A PERSON WITH A CLOSED/SEALED MIND (e.g., 'closed-minded', 'narrow-minded'). A BIGOT IS A BLIND PERSON (e.g., 'blind prejudice').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ханжа' (hypocrite). 'Bigot' is closer to 'фанатик' (fanatic) or 'предубеждённый человек' (prejudiced person). It implies active intolerance, not just private hypocrisy.
- Avoid using the direct but archaic cognate 'бигот' as it is not used in modern Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'biggot'.
- Using it to describe someone who is merely stubborn but not prejudiced (e.g., 'He's a bigot about eating vegetables.').
- Confusing it with 'hypocrite'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a bigot?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but rarely. The adjective 'bigoted' is the standard form (e.g., 'bigoted views'). The verb 'bigot' and adverb 'bigotly' are extremely rare, non-standard, and generally not recommended for learners.
'Racist' is more specific, relating to prejudice based on race. 'Bigot' is broader, covering prejudice based on religion, politics, nationality, etc. All racists are bigots, but not all bigots are racists (they might be prejudiced on other grounds).
It is a strong, condemnatory word used in both formal contexts (academic papers, news reports) and informal arguments. Its strength makes it unsuitable for neutral or polite descriptions.
Often, but not necessarily. A bigot can be highly educated but still hold irrational, prejudiced beliefs. The core idea is obstinate, unreasonable attachment and intolerance, not lack of knowledge.
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