cliché

noun

cli·​ché klē-ˈshā 

ˈklē-ˌshā,

kli-ˈshā

variants or less commonly cliche

1

: a trite phrase or expression

also : the idea expressed by it

2

: a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation

3

: something (such as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace

cliché adjective

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What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype?

The words cliché and stereotype have a good deal in common. Both come from French, both were originally printers’ terms, and both have come to take on somewhat negative meanings in modern use.

Their original meanings are essentially synonymous, referring to printing blocks from which numerous prints could be made. In fact, cliché means stereotype in French. Their modern meanings, however, are quite distinct. Cliché is today overwhelmingly encountered in reference to something hackneyed, such as an overly familiar or commonplace phrase, theme, or expression. Stereotype is most frequently now employed to refer to an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.

Synonyms

• banality
• bromide
• chestnut
• commonplace
• groaner
• homily
• platitude
• shibboleth
• trope
• truism

Examples of cliché in a Sentence

Non-Amateur writers avoid industriously the word Orwellian, because even years ago it became an overused and underdefined cliché. —William F. Buckley, Jr., National Review, 1 May 2000

FILM "I Like It Like That": It has every cliché of the 'hood genre, elevated by a strong woman protagonist and a few comic moments. —Bell Hooks, Ms., September/October 1994

I'd never been out with a model before, so I hadn't even bargained on the cliché of the rock star and the model as being part of my life. —David Bowie, quoted in Rolling Stone, 10 June 1993

Time has been the best healer for the pain of loss, just as the old cliché says, but letting go is still difficult. —Lynn McAndrews, My Father Forgets, 1990

… don't seek the ultimate, general solution; find a corner that can be defined precisely and, as our new cliché proclaims, go for it. —Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, July 1987

a speech filled with clichés about “finding your way” and “keeping the faith”

The macho cop of Hollywood movies has become a cliché.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ditch the cliches to accelerate intimacy in new creative ways, like incorporating sensory experiences. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025

All those cliches about teamwork and belief and optimism? —Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2025

The cliche goes that the NHL, like any professional sports league, is a business. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Such demands are rare for Altuve, a man who reserves most of his public comments for praising his teammates and cliches. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

In a locker room, cliches about teamwork and selflessness often fly around like the practice jerseys that are wadded up and tossed into massive piles atop rolling carts. —David Aldridge, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

Staying in 🎄 This year’s roster of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas movies includes an NFL partnership and films that poke fun at the genre’s cliches. —Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024

For Butler and the Heat the relationship has devolved to the seeming point of cliche. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025

On campus, Landow’s impact has gone beyond the bigger, stronger, faster cliches attached to most strength coaches. —Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, printer's stereotype, from past participle of clicher to stereotype, of imitative origin

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cliché

noun

cli·​ché klē-ˈshā 

ˈklē-ˌshā,

kli-ˈshā

: a phrase or expression used so often that it becomes stale

also : the idea expressed by it

Etymology

French, literally, "metal printing plate"