body positivity
/ˈbɒdi ˌpɒzɪˈtɪvɪti/
Very CommonThe belief that all bodies deserve respect and positive self-regard, regardless of size, shape, or appearance.
Has a complicated reputation. Criticized for being co-opted by thin influencers, commercialized by brands, and for setting an unrealistic emotional bar. Sincere practitioners see it as political. Skeptics see it as a hashtag.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | the body positivity movement got completely taken over by brands selling stuff and it lost all its meaning | Criticism of how commercial interests diluted the original fat acceptance politics of the movement. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 02 | posting this bikini pic for body positivity but also because i look cute | Using the frame of body positivity while also just enjoying the photo. | instagram, 2023 |
| 03 | body positivity is telling me to love this stomach and i am trying my best ngl | Struggling to internalize the message but not giving up on it. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | body positivity was never about influencers. it started with fat women fighting for medical dignity | Reclaiming the political origins of the movement from its social media dilution. | reddit, 2023 |
Use it when
- Describing the movement or philosophy of loving and accepting your body.
- Pushing back on body shaming or appearance-based criticism.
- Discussing self-love content or communities online.
Do not use it when
- You mean not thinking about your body at all.Use “body-neutrality” instead.
- You mean physical health or fitness.
Variations and related forms
Body positivity vs body neutrality
body positivity
Body positivity asks you to actively love and celebrate your body.
VS
body-neutrality
Body neutrality asks you to stop judging your body without requiring positive feelings.
Origin and context
Rooted in the fat acceptance movement of the 1960s and 70s. The specific phrase body positivity spread through Tumblr and Instagram in the 2010s before becoming a mainstream wellness term.
- First seen
- 2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/body-positivityUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0