typecast

verb

type·​cast ˈtīp-ˌkast How to pronounce typecast (audio)
typecast; typecasting

transitive verb

1
: to cast (an actor or actress) in a part calling for the same characteristics as those possessed by the performer
2
: to cast (an actor or actress) repeatedly in the same type of role
3

Examples of typecast in a Sentence

Her television work typecast her as a helpless victim.
Recent Examples on the Web Hollander, who is straight and, at fifty-six, a first-time dad, dismissed the idea that he is typecast as malicious gay men who betray their female confidantes. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Time will tell if Sweeney is typecast into these for much longer. Kara Kennedy, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024 Van Fleet allegedly grew bitter in her older years, grumbling that she had been typecast and was never given a true chance to shine, but this glittering collection of films proves otherwise. The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023 Hassan said that Middle Eastern actors were in the past often typecast to play stereotypical characters in Hollywood productions, but now there is a chance to change that. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023 Then there was David Geffen, who had his own record company, so that was basically typecasting. Barbra Streisand, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2023 But Sheehan has been typecast, with his tacit approval. Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 Yet the controversy had the effect of typecasting Gurba as the impudent indie writer willing to torch the publishing industry to make a point about diversity. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023 In this business, there is always typecasting, and once The Wire became a cult sensation, Reddick was never going to lack for work in this particular area. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'typecast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of typecast was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near typecast

Cite this Entry

“Typecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typecast. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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