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View synonyms for pigeonhole

pigeonhole

[ pij-uhn-hohl ]

noun

  1. one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc.
  2. a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.
  3. Also called pigeon hole, Printing. white space created by setting words or lines too far apart.


verb (used with object)

, pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing.
  1. to assign to a definite place or to definite places in some orderly system:

    to pigeonhole new ideas.

    Synonyms: catalog, categorize

  2. to lay aside for use or reference at some later, indefinite time:

    We must pigeonhole this excellent plan until the time is ripe.

    Synonyms: file

  3. to put aside for the present, especially with the intention of ignoring or forgetting, often indefinitely:

    to pigeonhole an unwanted invitation.

    Synonyms: shelve, postpone

  4. to place in or as if in a pigeonhole or pigeonholes:

    to pigeonhole papers.

  5. to fit or provide with pigeonholes:

    The desk must be pigeonholed for all my papers.

pigeonhole

/ ˈpɪdʒɪnˌhəʊl /

noun

  1. a small compartment for papers, letters, etc, as in a bureau
  2. a hole or recess in a dovecote for pigeons to nest in
  3. informal.
    a category or classification
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to put aside or defer
  2. to classify or categorize, esp in a rigid manner
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeonhole1

First recorded in 1570–80; pigeon 1 + hole
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Example Sentences

The Hoover article was what we in the news biz often pigeonhole as “interesting, if true.”

But wary of being pigeonholed, she always longed for an opportunity to transform and explore the complex inner lives of everyday women, as she did in “Dolores Claiborne.”

He wasn’t able to find much voiceover work after the gig either, he told Culture Honey later that year, because he was “pigeonholed as the ‘You’ve got’ guy, and nothing ever really came of that.”

Friendship has given them the chance to explore on stage new facets of themselves as actors who refuse to be pigeonholed.

So the notion that Marks was pigeonholed as a pass catcher or seen as anything less than a three-down workhorse didn’t sit well with Myles.

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