stereotype

[ster-ee-uh-tahyp, steer-]

noun

1. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group.

   Cowboys and Indians are American stereotypes.

2. a set form; convention.

   Most important for lexicographers are the idiomatic stereotypes whose meaning cannot be inferred from knowledge of the meanings of the individual items.

3. Printing.

   1. a process, now often replaced by more advanced methods, for making metal printing plates by taking a mold of composed type or the like in papier-mâché or other material and then taking from this mold a cast in type metal.

   2. a plate made by this process.

verb (used with object)

stereotyped, stereotyping 

1. to characterize or regard as a stereotype.

   The actor has been stereotyped as a villain.

   Synonyms: typecast, label, categorize

2. to give a fixed form to.

3. Printing.,  to make a stereotype of.

stereotype

/ ˌstɛrɪə ˈtɪpɪk, ˌstɪər-, ˈstɛrɪəˌtaɪp, ˈstɪər- /

noun

1. 1. a method of producing cast-metal printing plates from a mould made from a forme of type matter in papier-mâché or some other material

   2. the plate so made

2. another word for stereotypy

3. an idea, trait, convention, etc, that has grown stale through fixed usage

4. sociol a set of inaccurate, simplistic generalizations about a group that allows others to categorize them and treat them accordingly

verb

1. 1. to make a stereotype of

   2. to print from a stereotype

2. to impart a fixed usage or convention to

stereotype

¹

1. A too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group, such as “Football players are stupid” or “The English are cold and unfriendly people.”

stereotype

²

1. A generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group.

Other Word Forms

• stereotyper noun
• stereotypist noun
• stereotypical adjective
• stereotypic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereotype¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; stereo- + -type

Example Sentences

Instead of playing out the sacrificial stereotype, the writers revert to the savior archetype.

From Salon

Billy, a personal trainer who works in the Army, says people often stereotype him and he hopes the show will make women see him differently in future.

From BBC

"This lawyer 100% is trying to enforce a racist stereotype of a black woman asking about her hair and nails," said one X user.

From BBC

Some argued it pandered to the male gaze and promoted misogynistic stereotypes.

From BBC

People in rural America — yes, it’s a stereotype, but it’s true — simply have a lot more guns.

From Salon

Related Words

• pattern