stereotype

verb

ste·reo·type | \ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp,

ˈstir-\

stereotyped; stereotyping; stereotypes

Definition of stereotype

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make a stereotype from

2a : to repeat without variation : make hackneyed

b : to develop a mental stereotype about

stereotype

noun

Definition of stereotype (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from stereotype Synonyms What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype? Example Sentences Learn More about stereotype

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Other Words from stereotype

Verb

stereotyper noun

Noun

stereotypical \ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-kəl

\ or less commonly stereotypic \ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pik

\ adjective

stereotypically \ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

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 hooker with a heart of gold 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

In some instances, the liberal arguments come from candidates who can sell themselves as trustworthy messengers, even if the message is stereotyped as out of place. — Thomas Beaumont, The Seattle Times, "Democrats test liberal messages in midterm House elections," 11 June 2018 Of the 118 study participants Allam interviewed, 84 reported that feminist ideologies carried a negative connotation among Egyptians and that feminist activists were stereotyped. — Kim Yi Dionne, Washington Post, "This book helps us understand women’s participation in the Egyptian uprising," 8 June 2018 The American mainstream often stereotypes classical fans as stodgy and stuck in the past. — Patrick Neas, kansascity, "KC Fringe Festival brings an adventurous spirit to classical themes," 13 July 2018 And while the opioid crisis has been stereotyped as affecting mainly whites — who still made up the largest share of opioid overdoses in the city in 2017 — death rates among black opioid users are on the rise. — Aubrey Whelan, Philly.com, "West Philadelphia nervously watches as fentanyl kills the unsuspecting," 5 July 2018 For years they were stereotyped as convenience-store owners and overachieving children. — The Economist, "The Indian-American underachiever," 28 June 2018 The trend is even spilling over to cruises, once stereotyped as weight-gaining vacations with bottomless buffets. — Kelli Kennedy, chicagotribune.com, "From celeb trainer workouts to cruises, 'wellness travel' is booming - and bringing in big money," 7 June 2018 Both sides felt pigeonholed and stereotyped over the years. — Lisa Rosen, latimes.com, "'Wild, Wild Country' documents bizarre tale of sex, drugs and religious fervor," 13 June 2018 Since the 2016 election, many folks have tried to stereotype the coasts as the places living in their own bubbles. — NBC News, "Meet the Press -May 20, 2018," 20 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The combat is fast and fluid in the way of many of the best Japanese mecha games, but with hilarious American stereotypes thrown in at every opportunity. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "How a tweet brought mecha cult classic Metal Wolf Chaos back to life 15 years later," 14 June 2018 In a lot of media nowadays, teen is a stereotype, not an age anymore. — refinery29.com, "Eighth Grade's Elsie Fisher Shares What She Wishes People Knew About Gen Z," 11 July 2018 That means not only breaking down historical and present-day stereotypes, but learning to see what is missing from pictures of the past. — Irene Hsu, The New Republic, "The Echoes of Chinese Exclusion," 28 June 2018 The idea of a black person is a stereotype that shifts its shape in order never to fit anyone real. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "Old In Art School," 20 June 2018 The only truly terrifying one, a knife-wielding maniac, is an uncomfortable and tone-deaf stereotype of a Mexican gangster that the film could have easily done without. — Barbara Vandenburgh, azcentral, "Gabrielle Union kicks serious butt in violent ‘Breaking In’," 11 May 2018 All of it was a reminder that Russ has never been the cheap stereotype of a stat-chasing gunner that his critics are selling. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "NBA Playoff Talking Points: Life Without Steph, the Westbrook Rule and More," 27 Apr. 2018 Los Angeles Times There's an unkind stereotype out there that Angelenos are loath to crack open a book. — Benjamin Oreskes, latimes.com, "Essential California: Where's Gavin?," 21 Apr. 2018 Nobody is looking to be the fill-in-the-blank stereotype on the panel. — Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, "An Alternative Security Conference Calls Out Lack of Inclusion," 18 Apr. 2018

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.

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Time Traveler for stereotype

The first known use of stereotype was in 1804

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More Definitions for stereotype

stereotype

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stereotype

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same

stereotype

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stereotype (Entry 2 of 2)

: an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic

See the full definition for stereotype in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stereotype

noun

ste·reo·type | \ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp,

ˈstir-\

Kids Definition of stereotype

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

stereotype

verb

ste·reo·type

stereotyped; stereotyping

Kids Definition of stereotype (Entry 2 of 2)

: to form a fixed and often untrue or only partly true idea about It's unfair to stereotype people according to where they live.

stereotype

transitive verb

ste·reo·type | \ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp,

ˈstir-

stereotyped; stereotyping

Medical Definition of stereotype

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to repeat without variation stereotyped behavior

2 : to develop a mental stereotype about

stereotype

noun

Medical Definition of stereotype (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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