cliché

or cli·che

[ klee-shey, kli- ]

noun

1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.

   Synonyms: commonplace, stereotype, bromide, platitude

2. (in art, literature, drama, etc.) a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc.
3. anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.
4. British Printing.
   1. a stereotype or electrotype plate.
   2. a reproduction made in a like manner.

adjective

1. trite; hackneyed; stereotyped; clichéd.

cliché

/ ˈkliːʃeɪ /

noun

1. a word or expression that has lost much of its force through overexposure, as for example the phrase

   it's got to get worse before it gets better

2. an idea, action, or habit that has become trite from overuse
3. printing a stereotype or electrotype plate

cliché

1. A much used expression that has lost its freshness and descriptive power. Some clichés are “I thank you from the bottom of my heart” and “It's only a drop in the bucket.”

Derived Forms

• ˈclichéd, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cliché¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French: “stereotype plate, stencil,” noun use of past participle of clicher “to make a stereotype plate,” said to be imitative of the sound of the metal pressed against the matrix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cliché¹

C19: from French, from clicher to stereotype; imitative of the sound made by the matrix when it is dropped into molten metal

Example Sentences

Normally, the idea that a work is “timeless” is both praise and empty cliche.

From The Daily Beast

Or maybe both cultures got off on a glorious combination of cliche and novelty, even if they disagreed on which was which.

From The Daily Beast

I'm not sure that artist-chosen shows are of that much curatorial or art-historical use, and anyway they've become a cliche.

From The Daily Beast

This is a very different situation that cannot be wished away by an increasingly cliche-ridden "moral defense of capitalism."

From The Daily Beast

I realize how cliche and seemingly insufficient that sounds.

From The Daily Beast

Von Schlichten described the situation succinctly, in an ancient and unprintable military cliche.

From Project Gutenberg

The beautiful casts of the French medals known to all electrotypers as Cliche moulds are in the alloy No. 3.

From Project Gutenberg

As the cliche goes, "With enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow."

From Project Gutenberg

First, Engraved plate or Cliche representing the ornament with which the edge is to be decorated.

From Project Gutenberg

Apart from the comfortable cliche in which she was seen enfolded, Sanchia pleased the eye.

From Project Gutenberg