stereotype JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU
/ˈstɛ.ɹi.əˌtaɪp/ · stere.otype
noun
- A conventional, formulaic, and often oversimplified or exaggerated conception, opinion, or image of (a person). Her portrayal of the artist was a stereotype of a tortured genius.
- A person who is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type. He was tired of being typecast as the 'bad boy' in every movie he starred in.
- A metal printing plate cast from a matrix moulded from a raised printing surface. The printing press used a stereotype plate to produce thousands of copies of the newspaper.
verb
- To make a stereotype of someone or something, or characterize someone by a stereotype. The media often stereotypes certain groups of people, reinforcing negative attitudes.
- To prepare for printing in stereotype; to produce stereotype plates of. The publisher decided to stereotype the Bible to make mass production easier.
- To print from a stereotype. The printing press was able to stereotype the text quickly and efficiently.
Did you know? The term 'stereotype' was first used in the 19th century to describe a metal printing plate, but it later took on its modern meaning, referring to a fixed and oversimplified image or idea.