stereotypical
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of stereotypical
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!
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.
Indeed, it seems more than possible that the stereotypical Canadian “niceness” is a consequence of living next door to an armed and dangerous neighbor.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 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
Fruit is an absurd but also simple way to reflect the formulaic, sensationalist and stereotypical world of dating reality TV, Lupinacci said.
From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026
Doherty said while Oliver was "up for anything" on set, he struggled to adopt the stereotypical fiery TV chef persona she had in mind and she had been told in advance he would not swear.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
He was never a rebellious youth, not a part of the counterculture, not forever young in some stereotypical Baby Boomer way.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
