From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstereotypester‧e‧o‧type1 /ˈsteriətaɪp, ˈstɪər- $ ˈster-, ˈstɪr-/ ●●○ noun [countable] TYPICALTYPEa belief or idea of what a particular type of person or thing is like. Stereotypes are often unfair or untrueracial/sexual/cultural etc stereotype racist stereotypes in the mediastereotype of women who don’t fit the stereotype of the good motherstereotype about stereotypes about the elderly —stereotypical /ˌsteriəˈtɪpɪkəl, ˌstɪər- $ ˌster-, ˌstɪr-/ adjective the stereotypical Californian – tall, fit, and tanned —stereotypically /-kli/ adverbCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + stereotyperacial/racist stereotypesThe novel has been criticized for reinforcing racial stereotypes.cultural stereotypesHis jokes often depend on cultural stereotypes.national stereotypesSuch cartoons show how persistent national stereotypes are.sexual/gender stereotypesFeminists justifiably object to these sexual stereotypes.an old/traditional stereotypeMany people still believe that old stereotype.a popular/common stereotypeCurrent evidence indicates that older people are more healthy than popular stereotypes suggest.a negative stereotypeWe should avoid negative stereotypes regarding the performance of older workers.verbsfit/conform to a stereotype (=be like the usual idea of something)He doesn’t fit the stereotype of a Stanford student.reinforce a stereotype (=make a stereotype stronger by showing or describing someone in the usual way)Charities for older people must be careful not to reinforce harmful stereotypes.challenge a stereotype (=be different from the usual idea of something)These young women want to challenge gender stereotypes.
Examples from the Corpus
stereotype• The film explores alternative sexuality with coy eroticism and a brazen wit, but without resorting to degrading stereotypes.• The film is full of stereotypes: a stupid blonde, a fat American tourist, and a gay man with huge muscles.• Still, old stereotypes and perceptions die hard on the other side of the desk.• the racial stereotype of Asian girls as quiet and hard-working• racial stereotypes• They rejected the sexual stereotype of blue for a boy and pink for a girl, and dressed their baby in other colors instead.• At 41, Craig Benson would seem to be the stereotype of a Steve Forbes supporter, which he decidedly is not.• Looked at more closely, the stereotype dissolves.• Charles quite plainly did not fit the stereotype of a successful, high powered businessman.• Gone is the stereotype of a pothead hippie.• Here the universe of the stereotype is starkly revealed in all its mechanical and mercantile glory.• Real skins are much less coherent than the stereotype.racial/sexual/cultural etc stereotype• Academic Standards: A self-fulfilling effect of cultural stereotypes is diminished expectations.• With others we have prejudicial associations at the level of racial stereotypes.• He talked about Hollywood, and the old racial stereotypes in the movies.• The novel has been criticized for being offensive to blacks and for reinforcing racial stereotypes.• The most successful advertising campaigns have targeted cultural stereotypes by associating contraception with virility.• The cultural stereotype of cattle stealing as an exciting, adventurous activity may also have contributed to its acceptance.• Contrary to racial stereotypes, Georg has a sense of humour.stereotypestereotype2 verb [transitive] TYPICALto decide unfairly that a type of person has particular qualities or abilities because they belong to a particular race, sex, or social classbe stereotyped as something Homeless people are stereotyped as alcoholics or addicts.Grammar Stereotype is often used in the passive. —stereotyping noun [uncountable] —stereotyped adjective→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
stereotype• There may be tendencies to stereotype a scholar and thus ignore his highly creative experience.• As with the stereotyping and stigmatizing of welfare recipients, views about teenage childbearing are frequently extraordinarily simplistic.• This reflects not only homophobia but also sexism, since gay men are stereotyped as effeminate, too much like women.• There is a tendency to stereotype childless women as being hard and career-orientated.• I guess I have to refrain from stereotyping fraternities now.• One particularly gifted black student refused to be stereotyped into teaching only ESOl and literacy by potential employers.• Teachers often stereotype kids who speak with strong regional accents.• I have avoided attempting to stereotype you and the life you lead.Origin stereotype1 (1700-1800) French stéréotype, from Greek stereos ( → STEREO2) + French type 