Clichéd: meaning, definitions and examples

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clichéd

 

[ kliˈʃeɪd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

overused phrases

lacking originality or freshness; trite

Synonyms

banal, hackneyed, stereotyped, trite, unoriginal.

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Word Description / Examples
clichéd

Best used when referring to something that is overused and lacks originality. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.

  • The movie was filled with clichéd characters and predictable plot twists.
  • Her speech was clichéd, offering nothing new or inspiring.
banal

Suitable for describing something that is so ordinary and uninteresting that it lacks any appeal. It has a negative connotation.

  • His conversation was filled with banal comments and dull stories.
  • The artist's latest work was criticized for being too banal and lacking depth.
hackneyed

Used for describing expressions, ideas, or elements that are overused to the point of losing their original impact. This word also has a negative tone.

  • The book's ending was hackneyed and predictable.
  • The journalist used hackneyed phrases that failed to capture the reader's interest.
stereotyped

Appropriate when discussing something that is an oversimplified and standardized conception or image, often leading to misconceptions. It has a negative implication.

  • The film perpetuated stereotyped images of certain ethnic groups.
  • Her portrayal of the character was criticized for being too stereotyped and lacking depth.
trite

Best used to describe remarks, opinions, or ideas that are overused to the point of being ineffective or boring. It has a negative connotation.

  • His apology was filled with trite expressions and seemed insincere.
  • She dismissed his advice as trite and unhelpful.
unoriginal

Use when something lacks novelty and creativity, replicating what has already been done before. It doesn't necessarily have a strong negative connotation but can imply mediocrity.

  • The band's new album was criticized for being unoriginal and repetitive.
  • His ideas were unoriginal and failed to impress the committee.

Examples of usage

  • The movie's plot was so clichéd that it was predictable from the beginning.
  • Her speech was filled with clichéd phrases that failed to inspire the audience.
  • The novel's characters were clichéd stereotypes that offered nothing new to the genre.

Translations

Translations of the word "clichéd" in other languages:

🇵🇹 clichê

🇮🇳 रूढ़िबद्ध

🇩🇪 klischeehaft

🇮🇩 klise

🇺🇦 клішований

🇵🇱 banalny

🇯🇵 陳腐な

🇫🇷 cliché

🇪🇸 cliché

🇹🇷 klişe

🇰🇷 진부한

🇸🇦 مبتذل

🇨🇿 klišé

🇸🇰 klišé

🇨🇳 陈词滥调

🇸🇮 klišejski

🇮🇸 klisjukenndur

🇰🇿 клише

🇬🇪 კლიშე

🇦🇿 kliseyə çevrilmiş

🇲🇽 cliché

Etymology

The word 'clichéd' originated from the French word 'cliché,' which means stereotype. It first appeared in English in the late 19th century. The term is often used to describe phrases, ideas, or elements that are overused and lack originality. Clichéd expressions can be found in various forms of art, literature, and everyday conversations, where they are often criticized for being unoriginal and predictable.

See also: cliché.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,861, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.