racist
n. countablen. someone who treats people unfairly or thinks they are better than others because of their race. This person believes that skin color or where someone comes from makes them different in a fundamental way.
n. a person who believes in the inherent superiority of a particular race or who practices discrimination based on racial identity. Often used as a descriptor for individuals who uphold systemic racial hierarchies.
He was called a racist after making those unfair comments.
The politician faced heavy criticism and lost his seat after being identified as a racist by several former colleagues.
Sociologists distinguish between the overt racist who expresses prejudice openly and the structural systems that can produce discriminatory outcomes without a single individual's conscious intent.
1932 (noun), 1938 (adjective). Formed from racism (1928), paralleling French raciste (1892). Replaced older racialist (1910). Equivalent to race + -ist.
The word functions as both a noun for the person and an adjective to describe behaviors, policies, or ideas.