stereotype

1 of 2

verb

ste·​reo·​type ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp  ˈstir- 

stereotyped; stereotyping; stereotypes

transitive verb

1

: to make a stereotype from

2

a

: to repeat without variation : make hackneyed

b

: to develop a mental stereotype about

stereotyper noun

stereotype

2 of 2

noun

1

: a plate cast from a printing surface

2

: something conforming to a fixed or general pattern

especially : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment

Did you know?

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

Verb

• hackney
• overexpose
• overuse
• vulgarize

Noun

• concept
• conception
• generality
• generalization
• notion

Examples of stereotype in a Sentence

Verb

It's not fair to stereotype a whole group of people based on one person you don't like.

Movies have stereotyped the domineering mother-in-law ad nauseam.

Noun

the stereotype of the absentminded professor

the noble savage was a stereotype that appealed to 18th-century intellectuals, who viewed European civilization as decadent and corrupt

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Troy School District board president Karl Schmidt, who wrote letters with comments seen as stereotyping Asian people that were uncovered this year, was among those who lost, coming in sixth place among seven candidates. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2024

Thatcher and East, both of whom used to be associated with the Mormon Church, avoid stereotyping either their characters or their religion. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

But what Bill had written, what Brett and Jason had written, was not fulfilling that stereotype, because this is about a young man who wants to conquer his anger, and that is what a lot of African American people need to see in this day and age. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024

Those interwoven, overlapping memberships can help people defy stereotypes – and, perhaps, transcend divisions. —Stephanie Rivera, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French stéréotype, from stéré- stere- + type

First Known Use

Verb

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stereotype

1 of 2 noun

ste·​reo·​type ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp 

ˈstir-

1

: a printing plate made by casting melted metal in a mold

2

: something agreeing with a pattern

especially : an idea that many people have about a thing or a group and that may often be untrue or only partly true

stereotype

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a stereotype from

2

: to develop a mental stereotype about

unfairly stereotyped salesmen as dishonest

Medical Definition

stereotype

noun

ste·​reo·​type ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp  ˈstir- 

: something conforming to a fixed or general pattern

especially : an often oversimplified or biased mental picture held to characterize the typical individual of a group

stereotype transitive verb

stereotyped; stereotyping