cliché

noun

cli·ché | \ klē-ˈshā

, ˈklē-ˌshā, kli-ˈshā\

variants: or less commonly cliche

Definition of cliché

1 : a trite phrase or expression also : the idea expressed by it

2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation

3 : something (such as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace

Other Words from cliché Synonyms What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype? Example Sentences Learn More about cliché

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What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype?

The words cliché and stereotype have a good deal in common. Both come from French, both were originally printers’ terms, and both have come to take on somewhat negative meanings in modern use.

Their original meanings are essentially synonymous, referring to printing blocks from which numerous prints could be made. In fact, cliché means stereotype in French. Their modern meanings, however, are quite distinct. Cliché is today overwhelmingly encountered in reference to something hackneyed, such as an overly familiar or commonplace phrase, theme, or expression. Stereotype is most frequently now employed to refer to an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.

Examples of cliché in a Sentence

Non-Amateur writers avoid industriously the word Orwellian, because even years ago it became an overused and underdefined cliché. — William F. Buckley, Jr., National Review, 1 May 2000 FILM "I Like It Like That": It has every cliché of the 'hood genre, elevated by a strong woman protagonist and a few comic moments. — Bell Hooks, Ms., September/October 1994 I'd never been out with a model before, so I hadn't even bargained on the cliché of the rock star and the model as being part of my life. — David Bowie, quoted in Rolling Stone, 10 June 1993 Time has been the best healer for the pain of loss, just as the old cliché says, but letting go is still difficult. — Lynn McAndrews, My Father Forgets, 1990 … don't seek the ultimate, general solution; find a corner that can be defined precisely and, as our new cliché proclaims, go for it. — Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, July 1987 a speech filled with clichés about “finding your way” and “keeping the faith” The macho cop of Hollywood movies has become a cliché.

Recent Examples on the Web

Interviewing a writer and actor who so nimbly avoids cliche on the grounds from which roughly 8,736 celebrity profiles have been harvested feels almost unsavory. — Michael O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, "From 'Fleabag' to James Bond and Beyond: Phoebe Waller-Bridge on Death and Her Secret New Movie," 14 Aug. 2019 What's more disappointing, though, is the way the novel doubles down on the hackneyed cliche of the tragic, unattainable beauty. — Ron Charles, Dallas News, "In Richard Russo's 'Chances Are...,' a charming reunion unearths a chilling disappearance," 30 July 2019 Thirty years ago, Nazi uniforms were a veritable cliche in works by Verdi and Wagner. — Anne Midgette, Washington Post, "Opera plays its Trump card: Yes, the president is showing up in Verdi," 4 July 2019 While there’s certainly truth in some of them, the South is so much more interesting and complex than a cliche. — al.com, "Reckon Women Q&A: Adair Rutledge," 12 July 2019 When a British peer is found dead with the paw prints of a gigantic hound beside his body, the hunt for genre cliche fun is elementary. — BostonGlobe.com, "South Calendar: What’s happening this week," 10 July 2019 The song’s jam refracted colors suggesting a synthed-up, space-age form of psychedelic rock, without lapsing into the musical cliches of millennial-era jamtronica. — Jeremy D. Goodwin, BostonGlobe.com, "At Fenway, Phish rallies after a tentative start," 6 July 2019 But these are new times and joining the Knicks and Lakers would have been cliche', no? — oregonlive.com, "Canzano: Thanks Kawhi, you just blew the NBA wide open and Portland loves you for it," 6 July 2019 The pair’s ascent is rapid even by Silicon Valley standards, where dropping out of Stanford to launch a startup is almost a cliche. — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, "How two Stanford dropouts built an $860 million fortune by age 23," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cliché.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for cliché

cliché

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cliché

: a phrase or expression that has been used so often that it is no longer original or interesting

: something that is so commonly used in books, stories, etc., that it is no longer effective

See the full definition for cliché in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cliché

Definition of cliché

Other Words from cliché

Synonyms for cliché

What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype?

Examples of cliché in a Sentence

First Known Use of cliché

History and Etymology for cliché

English Language Learners Definition of cliché

cliché

Definition of cliché

Other Words from cliché

Synonyms for cliché

What is the Difference Between cliché and stereotype?

Examples of cliché in a Sentence

First Known Use of cliché

History and Etymology for cliché

English Language Learners Definition of cliché

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