stereotype

noun
UK: /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/
US: /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/

  1. A fixed general image or set of characteristics that a lot of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing.

    1. The stereotype of students is that they are lazy.
    2. He doesn't fit the stereotype of a football player; he's intelligent and well-read, challenging common stereotypes.

  2. A simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group.

    1. It's a stereotype that all old people are bad drivers.
    2. The movie reinforces harmful stereotypes about minority communities, perpetuating misunderstanding.

Synonyms

formula image convention trope
stereotype verb

  1. To believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same.

    1. Don't stereotype; meet people as individuals first.
    2. It's easy to stereotype others based on appearance, but it is not fair.

  2. To form a fixed, often false or oversimplified, idea about a particular type of person or thing.

    1. The media often stereotype women in advertisements, which is wrong.
    2. We should avoid stereotyping individuals based on their cultural background, as it leads to misunderstandings.
stereotype adjective

  1. Based on fixed and often false ideas about all people or things with a particular characteristic.

    1. That's a stereotype view of older workers.
    2. The stereotype image of the city is far from the truth, it is diverse and dynamic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "stereotype" in English means: A fixed general image or set of characteristics that a lot of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing., A simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group..

The phonetic transcription of "stereotype" is /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/ in British English and /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "stereotype": formula, image, convention, trope.

Example usage of "stereotype": "The stereotype of students is that they are lazy.". More examples on the page.