cliché
adjEtymology Unadapted borrowing from French cliché.
1
Proscribed, Sometimes Clichéd; having the characteristics of a cliché.
cliché
nounUK /ˈkliː.ʃeɪ/ · US /kliˈʃeɪ/
Etymology Unadapted borrowing from French cliché.
1
Rhetoric Something, most often a phrase or expression, that is overused or used outside its original context, so that its original impact and meaning are lost. A trite saying; a platitude.
- The villain kidnapping the love interest is a bit of a cliché.
- I know it's a bit of a cliché, but love really does conquer all.
2 more examples
- Clever got me this far Then tricky got me in Eye on what I'm after I don't need another friend Smile and drop the cliche Till you think I'm listening Take just what I came for Then I'm out the door again2003, “The Package”, performed by A Perfect Circle:
- Don’t believe what they’re saying everything’s is gonna change How could it be ever the same? It’s just a cliché fading Till we go our separate ways2023, “Remember All The Girls”, performed by The Sherlocks:
2
Media, Printing, Publishing A stereotype (printing plate).
- Derived terms
- clichéd, clichély, cliché-ridden, cliché verre, line cliché, thought-terminating cliché, tired cliché
- Related terms
- click