Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions, attitudes, or judgments about individuals or groups, typically based on stereotypes, biases, or unfounded assumptions, and often leading to unfair treatment, discrimination, or hostility toward those perceived as different or inferior. Prejudice can manifest in various forms, including racial prejudice, gender prejudice, religious prejudice, and socioeconomic prejudice, and may be rooted in social, cultural, or psychological factors.