stereotype

1 of 2

verb

ste·​reo·​type ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce stereotype (audio) ˈstir- How to pronounce stereotype (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Older adults are viewed as resistant to change or unable to utilize technology; younger adults are stereotyped as lazy and immature. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2024 To Rival Gold Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads In Latest Survey—As Polls Tighten Week Before Election Day Google Makes A Special Offer To Pixel Customers Against this backdrop, Zaki says, hope has been stereotyped as naïve, blinkered, and even toxic. Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
In 2003, Boseman, then 26, was hired to play the role of Reggie Porter on the ABC soap opera, but was allegedly fired after speaking to producers about his concerns that the character, a teen gang member, was a racial stereotype. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024 The film clearly parodies Hollywood stereotypes and the movie-making process, blending humor with absurd situations. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stereotype 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stereotype was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near stereotype

Cite this Entry

“Stereotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotype. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

stereotype

1 of 2 noun
ste·​reo·​type ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce stereotype (audio)
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 How to pronounce stereotype (audio) ˈstir- How to pronounce stereotype (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on stereotype

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