body image: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to semi-formal. Common in psychological, sociological, medical, and everyday wellness contexts.
Quick answer
What does “body image” mean?
A person's subjective mental picture and emotional perception of their own physical body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person's subjective mental picture and emotional perception of their own physical body.
The feelings, thoughts, and evaluations a person has about their body's appearance, functionality, and how it is perceived by others, often influenced by cultural and social ideals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The concept is identical and used with the same frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more clinical or academic in general British usage; more prevalent in mainstream pop psychology and lifestyle media in American usage.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects due to global discourse on health and beauty standards.
Grammar
How to Use “body image” in a Sentence
have + [adj] + body imagesuffer from + [adj] + body imagedevelop + [adj] + body imageaffect/influence/impact + [possessive] + body imageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body image” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her body image improved after she stopped comparing herself to models in glossy magazines.
- The charity focuses on body image education in schools.
American English
- Social media can really do a number on a teenager's body image.
- The therapy aimed to address his body image issues stemming from childhood.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in wellness, fashion, or fitness industry marketing (e.g., 'brands promoting positive body image').
Academic
Very common in psychology, sociology, gender studies, and media studies papers.
Everyday
Common in conversations about health, diet, exercise, media, and self-esteem.
Technical
Used in clinical psychology (e.g., body image disturbance in eating disorders) and neuroscience.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body image”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body image”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body image”
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'body images').
- Confusing with 'body shape' or 'appearance'.
- Misspelling as 'body-image' (hyphenated form is less common in modern usage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but they are closely related. Body image is specifically about perceptions of the physical self, while self-esteem is a broader evaluation of one's overall worth. A negative body image can lower overall self-esteem.
Absolutely. While often discussed in relation to women, body image concerns affect people of all genders. Men may focus on ideals like muscularity, leanness, or height.
'Body image' is the neutral, descriptive term for one's perception. 'Body positivity' is a social movement and activist stance aimed at accepting all bodies and challenging unrealistic beauty standards.
Not exactly. A positive body image is more about acceptance, respect, and appreciation for one's body, regardless of how closely it aligns with societal standards of attractiveness. It focuses on function and health as well as appearance.
A person's subjective mental picture and emotional perception of their own physical body.
Body image is usually neutral to semi-formal. common in psychological, sociological, medical, and everyday wellness contexts. in register.
Body image: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌɪmɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌɪmɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at war with one's body”
- “in one's own skin (e.g., comfortable in one's own skin)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your MIND developing an IMAGE of your BODY. It's the picture your brain holds of your physical self.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A PROJECT (to be worked on/accepted); THE MIND IS A MIRROR (reflecting a distorted/clear image).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST closely associated with 'body image'?