stereotype
/ˈsteriətaɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsteriətaɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp ˈstir-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/ (ame, ipa)
stereotype — noun
- stereotypesingular
- stereotypesplural
1. an unfair and oversimplified belief about a whole group of people that is widely
an unfair and oversimplified belief about a whole group of people that is widely held in society — for example, that all teenagers are lazy, or that people from a certain country share the same personality.
The film challenges the old stereotype that all scientists are boring men in white coats.
challenges + the old stereotype + that-clause
Salma hated the stereotype about her hometown — her neighbours were nothing like what people assumed.
stereotype about [somewhere]
Many young people now actively work to break negative stereotypes around mental health.
The marketing team realised their advert accidentally relied on a cultural stereotype.
Not every librarian fits the quiet, glasses-wearing stereotype you see in movies.
- cliché
focuses on the idea being overused and unoriginal, not necessarily harmful
- caricature
an exaggerated, comedic version of a type; more visual and intentionally distorted
- generalisation
a broader, less negative term for a statement about a group that may have some truth
- individuality
the quality of being a unique person rather than a type
文法句型
stereotype about/of + group
用法筆記
Often used with verbs that show criticism or change, such as challenge, break, fight, reinforce, or rely on. The adjective form stereotypical describes something that matches a stereotype.
常見錯誤
stereotype — verb
- stereotypepresent simple I / you / we / they
- stereotypes3rd person singular
- stereotyping-ing form
- stereotypedpast simple
1. to unfairly judge or categorise someone based on oversimplified and often wrong
to unfairly judge or categorise someone based on oversimplified and often wrong ideas about the group they belong to, instead of seeing them as an individual.
The headteacher warned the staff not to stereotype students based on their family background.
stereotype someone based on [something]
Lotte felt her classmates stereotyped her as serious and studious just because she wore glasses.
stereotype + noun + as + adjective
Older workers are often stereotyped as being slow to learn new technology.
Caleb refused to stereotype city-dwellers even though his own town had different customs.
The HR department runs workshops to help managers avoid stereotyping job candidates during interviews.
- categorise
a neutral word for putting things into groups; does not carry the negative judgement of stereotype
- label
similar to stereotype but can be neutral or positive; less focused on oversimplification
- type-cast
mostly used in acting; assigning someone a fixed role or image repeatedly
- individualise
treating each person as unique rather than as a member of a group
文法句型
stereotype + noun phrase + as + noun/adjective
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive voice (be stereotyped as). Frequently appears in negative imperatives or criticisms: 'don't stereotype', 'stop stereotyping'.