stereotypical

adjective

ste·​reo·​typ·​i·​cal ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-kəl 

1

or less commonly stereotypic

ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pik 

: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type especially when of an oversimplified or prejudiced nature : of, relating to, or constituting a stereotype

Charlie Stuart represents a new breed of motorcyclists who are erasing the stereotypical black-leather-jacket, tough-guy image that plagued motorcyclists since the violent Hollywood productions of the Fifties.

—Sue Browder

His book concedes that progress has been made in a sheerly numerical sense, but it argues that overall the black presence on television has been an endless recycling of a passel of injuriously stereotypical images.

—John McWhorter

2

or stereotypic : of, relating to, or marked by stereotypy

a

medical : characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance

Other stereotypical behaviors such as hand flapping and chewing on clothing or objects may be connected to sensory processing problems or anxiety.

—Cori Urban

… periodic leg movements during sleep, commonly known as nocturnal myoclonus—rapid, stereotypic, and periodic flexion of the legs and feet associated with repeated awakenings throughout the night.

—Patricia N. Prinz et al.

b

veterinary medicine : characterized by abnormal repetitive behavior

Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior … such as pacing, bar biting …

—Laura Smith

stereotypically

ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

She wanted her staff to work together and get along. So on a hot July night, Katharine Graham did a stereotypically female thing: She threw a party.

—Judith M. Havemann

Examples of stereotypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The elaborate play features four actors dressed as stereotypical Englishmen being gored in an intricate burst of fight choreography that elicits cheers from the natives. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024

There’s a lot more to winter in Canada than the stereotypical cold and snow. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Nothing new in a stereotypical Mexican family, but after this election, Mendoza feels greater tension and fear, especially for her partner. —Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024

While some people experience stereotypical munchies, others find their appetites lessened. —Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

stereotypical

adjective

ste·​reo·​typ·​i·​cal ˌster-ē-ə-ˈtip-i-kəl 

variants or stereotypic

-ik 

: of, relating to, or marked by stereotypy:

a

: characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance

Other stereotypical behaviors such as hand flapping and chewing on clothing or objects may be connected to sensory processing problems or anxiety.

—Cori Urban

… periodic leg movements during sleep, commonly known as nocturnal myoclonus—rapid, stereotypic, and periodic flexion of the legs and feet associated with repeated awakenings throughout the night.

—Patricia N. Prinz et al.

b

veterinary medicine : characterized by abnormal repetitive behavior

Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior … such as pacing, bar biting, and Gus' figure-eight swimming.

—Laura Smith

stereotypically

ˌster-ē-ə-ˈtip-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb