Stereotypical Meaning
/ˌstɛɹ.iː.əˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPertaining to a stereotype; conventional.
adjBanal, commonplace, and clichéd because of overuse.
Sentence Examples
You should avoid stereotypical behavior.
He's a stereotypical Japanese man.
Tom is a stereotypical nerd, with straight A's and little social life.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The movie portrayed the ____ image of a nerd with glasses and no social skills.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The movie was criticized for its ____ portrayal of life in the countryside as being always peaceful.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English stereotype Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ic Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al Middle English -ical English -ical English stereotypical From stereotype + -ical.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There were a lot of young girls, in their early-twenties she guessed, many of them either Gothed up in thick black mascara and black lip stick, others looking like stereotypical Beat Girls in black rollnecks and jeans."
— 2007, James Burr, Ugly Stories for Beautiful People, page 45:
"A drag queen may not comfortably fit the stereotypical homesteader mold. In the 19th century, homesteaders were Western pioneers who built new lives from necessity; on TikTok, the most popular homesteaders are often parents with young families or those with a lifelong connection to the practice, which often include so-called “tradwives,” or women who play a stereotypically gendered role in their family."
— 2025 March 30, Scottie Andrew, “Queer and trans homesteaders are conquering the social media frontier”, in CNN:
"Tics are brief, stereotypical behaviors that are initiated by an unconscious urge that can be temporarily suppressed."
— 2005, Lloyd J. Brown, Lee Todd Miller, Pediatrics, page 383:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The movie portrayed the ____ image of a nerd with glasses and no social skills.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The movie was criticized for its ____ portrayal of life in the countryside as being always peaceful.