stereotype

/'stiəri'ɔskəpi/

Thân thiện

A student draws a cartoon that challenges a common stereotype.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A widely held but oversimplified and fixed idea or image of a particular type of person or thing: A "stereotype" is a standardized mental picture, often based on prejudice or insufficient information, that represents an entire group of people in a simplified and often unfair way.
   • A printing plate cast from a mold of composed type: In printing, a "stereotype" is a solid plate of type metal, cast from a papier-mâché or plaster mold taken from the surface of a form of type.

2. Verb:

   • To view or represent someone or something according to a stereotype: To "stereotype" means to categorize a person or group based on a preconceived, oversimplified, and standardized image, often ignoring individual differences.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The film challenged the common stereotype of the helpless heroine.
  • He doesn't fit the stereotype of a university professor.
• Verb:
  • It is unfair to stereotype an entire generation.
  • She felt stereotyped by the media as just another pop star.

Advanced Usage

• "To conform to/fit a stereotype": to match the typical, often oversimplified, image of a group.
  • His love for classical music fit the stereotype of an intellectual.
• "To break/defy/shatter a stereotype": to act in a way that contradicts a common, oversimplified belief.
  • Her success as a mechanic shattered the gender stereotype.

Variants and Related Words

• Stereotypical (adj): having the qualities of a stereotype; conforming to a fixed or general pattern.
  • The movie's villain was a stereotypical evil genius.
• Stereotyping (n): the act or process of holding stereotypical views.
  • The report discussed the dangers of racial stereotyping.

Synonyms

• Noun: Cliché, generalization, caricature, typecast, formula.
• Verb: Categorize, pigeonhole, typecast, label, generalize.

Related Phrases

• Gender/racial/cultural stereotype: A stereotype based on gender, race, or culture.
  • The advertisement relied on outdated gender stereotypes.
• Negative/positive stereotype: A stereotype that casts a group in an unfavorable or favorable light, respectively.
  • Even positive stereotypes can be limiting and inaccurate.

Idioms and Common Expressions

• "A stereotype in the making": Something or someone that is beginning to be seen in a fixed, oversimplified way.
  • The media portrayal of the event was a stereotype in the making.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a conventional or formulaic conception or image
   • regional stereotypes have been part of America since its founding

Verb

1. treat or classify according to a mental stereotype
   • I was stereotyped as a lazy Southern European

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pigeonhole
• stamp