Definition of stereotype
transitive verb
1 : to make a stereotype from
2a : to repeat without variation : make hackneyedb : to develop a mental stereotype about
stereotyper
nounRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of stereotype in a Sentence
It's not fair to stereotype a whole group of people based on one person you don't like.
movies have stereotyped the hooker with a heart of gold ad nauseam
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.
First Known Use of stereotype
1804
Other Psychology Terms
stereotype
Definition of stereotype
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
Examples of stereotype in a Sentence
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 of stereotype from the Web
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Every bad stereotype about selfie culture played out in horrifying fashion at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
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Viewers were outraged by Rock's joke that played on Asian stereotypes, which came across especially tone-deaf in a year with heightened sensitivity about race in relation to the Academy Awards.
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Still, some thematic structuring would have been a help, even at the risk of reinforcing stereotypes of tropical exoticism, revolutionary fervor, etc.
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But many of them are performing much better than their new stereotype suggests.
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While stereotypes of breeds are deeply rooted, Dr. Hare said, there is no evidence to show that one breed is cognitively superior to another.
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Despite fact check after fact check, these false stereotypes dominate.
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Gender stereotypes evaporated, and people chose candidates based on party, not gender.
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Ms. Omar says her goal isn’t simply countering a stereotype of Somalis.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stereotype'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of stereotype
French stéréotype, from stéré- stere- + type
Other Psychology Terms
STEREOTYPE Defined for English Language Learners
stereotype
playDefinition of stereotype for English Language Learners
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: to believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same
stereotype
Definition of stereotype for English Language Learners
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: an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic
STEREOTYPE Defined for Kids
Definition of stereotype for Students
: a fixed idea that many people have about a thing or a group that may often be untrue or only partly true
Definition of stereotype for Students
stereotyped
;stereotyping
: to form a fixed and often untrue or only partly true idea about It's unfair to stereotype people according to where they live.
Medical Dictionary
stereotype
Medical Definition of stereotype
: 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
Learn More about stereotype
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See words that rhyme with stereotype Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stereotype Spanish Central: Translation of stereotype Nglish: Translation of stereotype for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stereotype for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stereotype
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