stereotypical

[ ster-ee-uh-tip-i-kuhl, steer- ]

adjective

1. portraying a simplified and standardized conception or image, often one that is construed as derogatory:

   She is frustrated by the shallow and stereotypical roles that she is offered as an Asian actor.

   The stereotypical environmentalist is a white dude wearing sandals and tie-dye.

Other Words From

• non·ster·e·o·typ·ic adjective
• non·ster·e·o·typ·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereotypical¹

stereotyp(e) ( def ) + -ical ( def )

Example Sentences

They also asked Ben Sulayem to mind his "tone and language" when addressing the topic, after he was criticised by Lewis Hamilton for using "stereotypical" language with a "racial element".

From BBC

Lewis Hamilton accused Ben Sulayem of using "stereotypical" language with a "racial element" in the interview.

From BBC

A stereotypical 1960s radical eager to spread his conspiracy theories, Larry Finkelstein features in many fan-favorite episodes, including Season 1’s “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Father.”

From Los Angeles Times

The stereotypical image of a smoker may once have been an old, overweight man with rotting teeth, but that's now been replaced by the young and glamorous celebrities who pout at the camera mysteriously with a Marlboro Gold in hand.

From BBC

“All our characters were just out of college, trying to find their way in the world, trying to figure things out. There was nothing stereotypical about them. They were folks we recognized that really had not been onscreen before.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• archetypal
• characteristic
• common
• customary
• ordinary
• prototypical
• stereotypic
• stock
• traditional
• typical
• usual