cliché — a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
Pronunciation (IPA): /kliˈʃeɪ/
Example Sentences
- His speech was full of political clichés like 'we need change.'
- The villain's evil laugh was such a cliché that the audience started giggling.
- She tried to avoid clichés in her writing, but ended up using 'it was a dark and stormy night.'
cliché
NOUN[/kliˈʃeɪ/]
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
The director sighs at another cliché romantic movie scene
Writing a résumé full of cliché at the café!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From French cliché, originally a printing term referring to a stereotype plate (a printing block used to reproduce the same image repeatedly). The term was metaphorically extended to mean a phrase or idea repeated so often it has lost its original impact.
Breakdown
French cliché (past participle of clicher, 'to click/stereotype') from the sound of the printing press + the repetitive nature of stereotype plates = an overused phrase or idea
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His speech was full of political clichés like 'we need change.'”
“The villain's evil laugh was such a cliché that the audience started giggling.”
“She tried to avoid clichés in her writing, but ended up using 'it was a dark and stormy night.'”
“The romantic comedy followed every cliché in the book.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.