stereotype

[ ster-ee-uh-tahyp, steer- ]
/ ˈstɛr i əˌtaɪp, ˈstɪər- /

noun

a process, now often replaced by more advanced methods, for making metal printing plates by taking a mold of composed type or the like in papier-mâché or other material and then taking from this mold a cast in type metal.
a plate made by this process.
a set form; convention.
Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group: The cowboy and Indian are American stereotypes.

verb (used with object), ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing.

Origin of stereotype

First recorded in 1790–1800; stereo- + -type

OTHER WORDS FROM stereotype

ster·e·o·typ·er, ster·e·o·typ·ist, noun ster·e·o·typ·ic [ster-ee-uh-tip-ik, steer-] /ˌstɛr i əˈtɪp ɪk, ˌstɪər-/, ster·e·o·typ·i·cal, adjective non·ster·e·o·typ·ic, adjective non·ster·e·o·typ·i·cal, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for stereotypical

British Dictionary definitions for stereotypical

stereotype
/ (ˈstɛrɪəˌtaɪp, ˈstɪər-) /

noun

  1. a method of producing cast-metal printing plates from a mould made from a forme of type matter in papier-mâché or some other material
  2. the plate so made
another word for stereotypy
an idea, trait, convention, etc, that has grown stale through fixed usage
sociol a set of inaccurate, simplistic generalizations about a group that allows others to categorize them and treat them accordingly

verb (tr)

  1. to make a stereotype of
  2. to print from a stereotype
to impart a fixed usage or convention to

Derived forms of stereotype

stereotyper or stereotypist, noun stereotypic (ˌstɛrɪə ˈtɪpɪk, ˌstɪər-) or stereotypical, adjective

Cultural definitions for stereotypical (1 of 2)

stereotype

A too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group, such as “Football players are stupid” or “The English are cold and unfriendly people.”

Cultural definitions for stereotypical (2 of 2)

stereotype

A generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group.