Definition of STEREOTYPES (original) (raw)
1
: to make a stereotype from
2
a
: to repeat without variation : make hackneyed
b
: to develop a mental stereotype about
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?
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.
Synonyms
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.
Troy School District board president Karl Schmidt, who wrote letters with comments seen as stereotyping Asian people that were uncovered this year, was among those who lost, coming in sixth place among seven candidates. —
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2024 Thatcher and East, both of whom used to be associated with the Mormon Church, avoid stereotyping either their characters or their religion. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
But what Bill had written, what Brett and Jason had written, was not fulfilling that stereotype, because this is about a young man who wants to conquer his anger, and that is what a lot of African American people need to see in this day and age. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024 Those interwoven, overlapping memberships can help people defy stereotypes – and, perhaps, transcend divisions. —Stephanie Rivera, NPR, 19 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 29 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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