Dictionary
The Intersectionality Dictionary explores how language shapes our understanding of power, identity, and justice. Terms like intersectionality, privilege, or decolonization are widely used yet often misunderstood or stripped of their historical roots. This evolving resource goes beyond simple definitions: each entry traces a concept’s origins, examines its theoretical foundations, and reflects on how it appears in public debate today. By approaching words critically, the dictionary reveals the histories and power relations they carry. Designed to be accessible without oversimplifying, it helps students, educators, activists, and curious readers engage more thoughtfully with complex ideas—because understanding the language of power is a step toward challenging and transforming it. ✨
You can check out our dictionary by researching a word or browse the alphabet index.
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Representation
Representation refers to how individuals, groups, and identities are included, recognized, and depicted across various social, cultural, and political contexts. This concept extends beyond…
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Colonial Capitalism
Colonial capitalism refers to the exploitation of resources and labor in the Global South by the Global North. While ‘industrialisation’ refers to a country’s…
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Stereotype Threat
Stereotypes are representations and beliefs about people and the social groups to which they belong, usually generalized and misattributed (Operario & Fiske, 2003). Stereotype…
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Body Image
Body image is defined as the picture of our own body that we form in our mind, that is, how the body appears to…
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White Defensiveness (Mechanisms)
The term White Defensive Mechanism is an umbrella term that refers to possible reactions shown by White individuals during discussions about racism, their own…
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Whitewashing
Whitewashing refers to all acts of intentional and unintentional altering of the facts, identities, and histories, especially those related to examples of racial inequalities…
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Ableism
Ableism refers to the discrimination and prejudice against people with mental, emotional, or physical disabilities.While ‘ability’ refers mostly to a specific set of functional…
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Consensual Pornography
Pornography is the (consensual) creation of graphic, auditory, or written content, meant to be sexually arousing. It can present bodies in a sexual manner,…
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White Guilt
White guilt is a term used to describe the sentiments of guilt, shame, or discomfort that White individuals likely feel as a result of…
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Xenophobia
Xenophobia is a deep-seated fear of individuals perceived as outsiders or culturally different from one’s own community (Guy-Evans, 2023). During social or global crises,…
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White Tears
White Tears refers to emotionally charged reactions, such as guilt, sadness, or defensiveness, that are typically displayed by White individuals when faced with racism…
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Honor Based Violence
Honor Based Violence (HBV) is a form of gender-based violence. In some cultures, used to maintain a family’s reputation through the control of its…
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Bisexual
Bisexuality is a sexual orientation that refers to individuals who are romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to people of more than one gender. This…
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Woke
The term woke refers to a high awareness of social injustices, particularly related to racism and systemic inequality. However, it is not only about…
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Linguistic Imperialism
Linguistic imperialism refers to the dominance of one language at the expense of others, often leading to the marginalization or even extinction of non-dominant,…
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Microaggressions
Microaggressions are forms of subtle discrimination in the form of verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities. They are often automatically and unconsciously directed at members…
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White Fragility
White fragility, a term coined by Robin DiAngelo (2018), refers to a form of discomfort and defensiveness that White individuals tend to show when…
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Plurisexuality
Plurisexuality, also multisexuality, is an umbrella term describing different orientations and attractions to people of multiple genders and/or sexes. The terms plurisexual and multisexual…
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Acculturation
Acculturation refers to complex processes in which both individuals and groups’ psychological and cultural change results from contact between at least two different cultural…
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Victimization
Acts in which a person is the target of violence that results in physical or psychological injury are understood as victimization (Cruz, 1999). This…
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Microinterventions
Targets of microaggressions often experience a “freeze effect,” where they feel uncertain about how to respond. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, guilt,…
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Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term that describes any sexual act or behavior that takes place without a person’s consent. It covers a wide…
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Nonconsensual Pornography
Nonconsensual pornography (NCP) is the online distribution of sexually graphic photographs or videos of individuals without their permission (European Institute for Gender Equality, 2017).…
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Incel
Incel is a term that is used for an involuntary celibate. Celibate usually refers to people who choose to not have sex (Cambridge Dictionary,…
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Zero-Sum Thinking
Zero-sum thinking is a mindset in which individuals, groups, and nations view the world as a competitive arena, believing that one person’s success must…
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Workplace Equality
Workplace equality has been defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO) as equal working conditions and treatment at work regardless of gender, race, color,…
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Unionisation
Unionization is the process by which employees form trade unions in various industries. It has been a practice in business and trade since the…
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Sex Work
Sex work has historically been closely associated with discrimination, marginalization, and criminalization. From past centuries to the present day, sex work has always been…
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Overconsumption
In a capitalist society, buying and consuming products is an essential part of daily life. Yet, when consumers purchase products or services in quantities…
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Job Polarization
Job Polarization refers to a labor market phenomenon that has appeared in many countries in recent decades. While the number of middle-income jobs is…