Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Overused and lacking originality: Describes an idea, phrase, or expression that has been used so frequently that it has lost its freshness, impact, and meaning, often becoming predictable and trite.
   • Stereotypical or hackneyed: Refers to something that follows a common, unoriginal pattern or formula, showing a lack of new thought or creativity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The movie's plot was disappointingly cliched, relying on tired tropes.
  • He avoided using cliched expressions like "at the end of the day" in his speech.
  • The author's description of the sunset was beautiful but somewhat cliched.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/become cliched": To have the quality of being a cliché.
  • That motivational quote has become so cliched that it no longer inspires anyone.
• Used attributively (before a noun): Most common usage.
  • The advertisement featured a cliched image of a happy family at breakfast.

Variants and Related Words

• Cliché (noun): The original French term, now commonly used in English to refer to the overused phrase or idea itself.
  • "Love is blind" is a well-known cliché.
• Clichedly (adverb, rare): In a cliched manner.
  • The story ended clichedly with a wedding.

Synonyms

• Hackneyed: Lacking significance due to overuse.
• Trite: Overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
• Banal: So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
• Stereotypical: Conforming to a fixed or general pattern, especially a simplified and standardized conception.

Antonyms

• Original: Present or existing from the beginning; not derived or copied from something else.
• Fresh: New; not previously known or used; not stale or hackneyed.
• Innovative: Featuring new methods; advanced and original.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A cliched saying": A commonly used phrase that is considered a cliché.
  • He opened his presentation with the cliched saying, "Think outside the box."
• "To fall into cliche": To unintentionally use a cliched idea or expression.
  • The writer struggled not to fall into cliche when describing the villain.

Adjective

1. repeated regularly without thought or originality
   • ready-made phrases