stereotypical

American  

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

Also stereotypic

adjective

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonstereotypic
  adjective
• nonstereotypical
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of stereotypical

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

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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!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stereotypical

The British actor, who debuted in Game of Thrones aged 11 and uses they/them pronouns, says they had consciously decided not to behave like a stereotypical teenager after hearing criticisms from adults.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Assemblage artist Betye Saar, who’s known for arming stereotypical images of mammies with deadly weaponry, and has influenced generations of artists, has died.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Not only were the images ageist and stereotypical, but they also got a key fact about entrepreneurship wrong: Older business creators are more successful than younger ones, research shows.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 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

None could equate this engaging young man with the stereotypical aged, graybearded laboratory scientist of their fancies.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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Related Words

• archetypal
• characteristic
• common
• customary
• ordinary
• prototypical
• stereotypic
• stock
• traditional
• typical
• usual

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