Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

stereotype

noun
/ˈstɛr.i.ə.taɪp/
Definition
A widely held but oversimplified and generalized belief or idea about a particular group of people or things.
Examples
  • Many people still hold outdated stereotypes about what men and women can do.
  • It’s important to challenge stereotypes that limit individual potential.
Meaning
Stereotype refers to the way people form a fixed, overly simplified image of someone or something, often based on their membership in a certain category.
Synonyms
  • generalization
  • label
  • preconception