trope

noun \ ˈtrōp \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of trope

1 a : a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech

b : a common or overused theme or device : cliché

the usual horror movie tropes

2 : a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation to the sung parts of the Mass in the Middle Ages

See trope defined for English-language learners

Examples of trope in a Sentence

a screenplay that reads like a catalog of mystery-thriller tropes

Recent Examples of trope from the Web

Barbershop scenes represent a classic trope in American cinema.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "Clipper wars: LeBron James vs. Nick Saban," 3 Apr. 2018
The return of Porter, a series regular evicted in characteristically spectacular fashion, is less a function of reality-television tropes than the simple fact that Trump is yearning for friendly faces as his circle of trust shrinks.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Trump Eyes Accused Wife-Beater Rob Porter for a Late-Season Return," 27 Mar. 2018
Time travel is a classic trope in science fiction, posing questions about fixing the past, paradoxes, or simply spectating in a time long before your own.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach is a time-travel adventure full to the brim with ideas," 24 Mar. 2018
The movie literally has all the classic sci-fi tropes: Spunky genius street kid who’s somehow as smart as trained experts 3 times her age?

— jason johnson, The Root, "Pacific Rim Uprising is a Terrible Movie That's Actually Good for Black People," 24 Mar. 2018
The series feels heightened, from its winking deployment of rom-com and cancer-movie tropes to the extremely young and CW-attractive doctor who somehow figures out how to cure Stella's vague strain of cancer.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Lucy Hale leaves 'Pretty Little Liars' behind in sunny but shallow 'Life Sentence'," 7 Mar. 2018
By the time Oasis came braying out of Manchester, the sibling rock band feud was a trope that had spanned decades: from the brothers Davies in the Kinks to the brothers Robinson in the Black Crowes.

— andrew dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Loving dinosaurs and Noel Gallagher," 28 Feb. 2018
The series mixes tropes from a few genres together, from the road trip adventure to the serial killer show.

— lincoln michel, GQ, "The End of the F---ing World Is the Best Dark Comedy on Netflix," 22 Jan. 2018
Like For the People, another Rhimes drama that premiered this month, Station suffers by rehashing the tropes of the producer's established series: Grey's, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: 'Grey's Anatomy' firefighter spinoff 'Station 19' lacks heat," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.