pigeonholes; pigeonholed; pigeonholing
disapproving
: to unfairly think of or describe (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group, having only a particular skill, etc.
She likes to perform different types of music because she doesn't want to be pigeonholed.
—often + asShe doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a jazz musician.
plural pigeonholes
1
chiefly British
: a small open space in a desk, cabinet, or wall for keeping letters or papers
2
disapproving
—used to say that someone or something is being unfairly thought of or described as belonging to a particular group, having only a particular skill, etc.
He's a talented actor who doesn't want to be put in a pigeonhole. [=doesn't want to be pigeonholed]
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pigeonhole. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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