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

According to Nate, what makes working with Marielle satisfying isn’t just her determination to avoid the cliche, but her willingness to look for the best idea up until the last possible minute. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2024

Of the many threadbare cliches passed down among wine lovers, the idea that white wines do not merit aging is among the most egregious. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024

But beyond the cliches, what do the mental hurdles of an Open actually entail? —Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 18 July 2024

There’s a kind of a cliche that Americans are very open and Brits are very repressed. —Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 14 Sep. 2024

Because, ultimately, there is no success (without struggle), there is no sunshine without rain, all the cliches. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024

The production’s simplicity ditched the cliches that have accumulated around the play over decades. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

The trick to cultivating a distinct identity on LinkedIn is to focus on sharing your unique insights, shaped by your experiences, and ignore the cliches. —John Marino, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Parisian cliches existed before the show and will persist after it. —Gabrielle Pedriani, StyleCaster, 12 Sep. 2024

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"