stereotype
C1Formal-informal
Definition
Meaning
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
1. In printing: a solid, pre-cast type metal plate used for mass reproduction of text and images. 2. As a verb: to characterize or judge someone according to an oversimplified standard.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The modern psychological/social sense dominates contemporary usage, derived from the printing term metaphor (a fixed, reproduced image). It inherently carries a negative connotation of being inaccurate, reductive, and potentially harmful, though can be used descriptively in academic contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The printing term is equally archaic in both.
Connotations
Identical negative social connotations. Slightly more frequent in US media discourse on race/gender.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties within social sciences, media, and everyday critical discussion.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to stereotype somebody as somethingto be stereotyped as somethingto stereotype a groupVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Defy/Break the stereotype”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used cautiously in DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) contexts: 'Our training aims to eliminate unconscious bias and harmful stereotypes in hiring.'
Academic
Frequent in sociology, psychology, media studies: 'The study examined how media representations reinforce ethnic stereotypes.'
Everyday
Common in discussions of groups, cultures, or professions: 'It's a stereotype that all engineers are introverted.'
Technical
Rarely used in its original printing context today.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The article unfairly stereotyped an entire generation as being workshy.
- He felt stereotyped by his regional accent.
American English
- The show has been criticized for stereotyping immigrants.
- She didn't want to be stereotyped as just another teen pop star.
adverb
British English
- The character was stereotypically evil.
- He was stereotypically British about queuing.
American English
- She was portrayed stereotypically as a 'dumb blonde'.
- The neighbourhood is stereotypically suburban.
adjective
British English
- The portrayal was rather stereotypical.
- His views are based on stereotypical assumptions.
American English
- The movie relied on stereotypical characters.
- It was a stereotypical depiction of a scientist.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A stereotype is a simple idea about a group of people.
- It is a stereotype that all cats hate water.
- The film avoided the stereotype of the heroic soldier.
- She didn't like the stereotype that women are bad drivers.
- The study analysed how advertising perpetuates gender stereotypes.
- He challenged the stereotype that artistic people are disorganised.
- The author deconstructs the colonial stereotypes prevalent in 19th-century literature.
- Policymakers must recognise how institutional practices can systematically stereotype disadvantaged groups.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STEREo' (fixed, same) + 'TYPE' (kind). A fixed type of view.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE PRINTED IMAGES (fixed, mass-produced, unchangeable).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'стереотип' в чисто лингвистическом смысле (языковой стереотип).
- Английское 'stereotype' почти всегда несёт негативный оценочный компонент, которого может не быть в русском нейтральном использовании.
- Глагол 'to stereotype' часто требует дополнения: 'They stereotyped him as a lazy teenager.' (не просто 'они стереотипировали', а 'стереотипировали кого-то как...').
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'typical' (e.g., 'The stereotype British weather is rainy' – incorrect; use 'typical' or 'stereotypical').
- Confusing 'stereotype' (social concept) with 'prototype' (first model).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'stereotype' most correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern social usage, yes. Even if the content seems positive (e.g., 'Asians are good at maths'), it is reductive, places pressure on individuals, and is considered a harmful stereotype because it overlooks individual differences.
'Stereotype' is the cognitive component (the oversimplified belief). 'Prejudice' is the affective component (the negative feeling/attitude based on that belief). 'Discrimination' is the behavioural component (the unfair action based on prejudice).
Yes, commonly. It means 'to categorise or judge someone based on a stereotype'. (e.g., 'He felt stereotyped because of his age'). The adjectival form 'stereotypical' and adverb 'stereotypically' are also very frequent.
It comes from French 'stéréotype', a printing term coined in the late 18th century from Greek 'stereos' (solid) and 'typos' (impression). The social science meaning developed in the early 20th century as a metaphor from the fixed printing plate.
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B2 · 47 words · Analyzing culture, society and identity.
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