stock character

noun

1. a character in literature, theater, or film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring no development by the writer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stock character¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Kaling always seems to enjoy tinkering with stock characters and story lines, and this might be her most effective fusion of classic and contemporary to date.

From Time

Yet Kevin couldn’t exist without a critical mass of viewers growing weary of the man-baby couch-potato stock character.

From Time

The maverick tech mogul has, for reasons that should be obvious to anyone with a halfway decent internet connection, become a stock character.

From Time

The obnoxious meddling journalist is a stock character in fiction.

From The Daily Beast

At an unpredictable pace, that vulgar drawing becomes a stereotype—perhaps even a stock character.

From The Daily Beast

The new viewpoint—Use all the stock character and situations you want, but add a new twist.

From Project Gutenberg

Faintest etched is Tom, the younger son, and most like a stock character.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• piece