stereotypical
adjective
ste·reo·typ·i·cal
ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-kəl
1
or less commonly stereotypic
: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type especially when of an oversimplified or prejudiced nature : of, relating to, or constituting a stereotype
… the stereotypical image of Irish gastronomy revolved around pub grub and pints …—Paul Caputo
His book concedes that progress has been made in a sheerly numerical sense, but it argues that overall the black presence on television has been an endless recycling of a passel of injuriously stereotypical images.—John McWhorter
2
or stereotypic
: of, relating to, or marked by stereotypy
a
medical
: characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance
Other stereotypical behaviors such as hand flapping and chewing on clothing or objects may be connected to sensory processing problems or anxiety.—Cori Urban
… periodic leg movements during sleep, commonly known as nocturnal myoclonus—rapid, stereotypic, and periodic flexion of the legs and feet associated with repeated awakenings throughout the night.—Patricia N. Prinz et al.
b
veterinary medicine
: characterized by abnormal repetitive behavior
Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior … such as pacing, bar biting …—Laura Smith
stereotypically
adverb
She wanted her staff to work together and get along. So on a hot July night, Katharine Graham did a stereotypically female thing: She threw a party.
—Judith M. Havemann
Cite this Entry
“Stereotypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotypical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
