stereotypical

American

[ster-ee-uh-tip-i-kuhl, steer-] / ˌstɛr i əˈtɪp ɪ kəl, ˌstɪər- /

Also stereotypic

adjective

portraying a simplified and standardized conception or image, often one that is construed as derogatory.

She is frustrated by the shallow and stereotypical roles that she is offered as an Asian actor.
The stereotypical environmentalist is a white dude wearing sandals and tie-dye.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of stereotypical

stereotyp(e) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Explanation

Stereotypical describes an action or a characterization that is oversimplified, widely imitated, or handed down by tradition. As in Aesop’s Fables, stereotypical characters behave predictably, or according to type, which, in Greek, literally means to strike in a mold or an impression. But most interesting people and stories do not easily fit into molds, and typecasts can be socially offensive. It might be stereotypical in a comedy skit to see police officers eating donuts, but when you get pulled over for missing a stop sign it’s best to keep that idea to yourself!

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing stereotypical

All American Boys

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This Week in Pop Culture: August 10–16, 2019

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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The stereotypical British émigré used to be the retiree packing up for sunnier climes in Spain or France.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

"The JP Morgan case has drawn enormous interest because of the reversal of stereotypical gender roles, meaning many more people are seeking out information beyond what is coming from official channels," Scheirer said.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

"You may see the stereotypical pencil point trees that they've started to fell or to coppice," Jasper said.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

These had to feel like real people with stereotypical flair, teenagers who were boxed into a category simply because that’s what high school social politics demand.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

“And it’s not about stereotypical girl topics written in sappy, cliché ways.”

From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023