Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Cliche


Cliˊché′

,
Noun.
[F.
cliché
, from
clicher
to stereotype.]
1.
A stereotype plate or any similar reproduction of ornament, or lettering, in relief.
Cliché casting
,
a mode of obtaining an impression from a die or woodcut, or the like, by striking it suddenly upon metal which has been fused and is just becoming solid; also, the casting so obtained.

Definition 2024


cliché

cliché

See also: cliche, clichê, and cliche'

English

Alternative forms

Noun

cliché (plural clichés)

  1. 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. [from 19th c.]
    The villain kidnapping the love interest in a film is a bit of a cliché.
  2. (printing) A stereotype (printing plate).

Usage notes

  • The alternative spelling cliche may be used without confusion, as there is no other word in English with this spelling. (Contrast résumé, resumé.)

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

cliché (third-person singular simple present clichés, present participle clichéing, simple past and past participle clichéd or (rare) clichéed)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To use a cliché; to make up a word or a name that sounds like a cliché.

Anagrams


Dutch

Pronunciation

  • Hyphenation: cli‧ché

Etymology

Borrowing from French cliché

Noun

cliché n (plural clichés, diminutive clichétje n)

  1. cliché

French

Etymology

Past participle of clicher (to stereotype", originally, "to copy, literally to click, clink), from Middle French, from Old French cliquer (to click, clack, sound, resound), of Germanic origin, related to Dutch klikken (to click, rattle), Low German klikken (to click), German klicken (to click), Danish klikke (to click), Swedish klicka (to click). Probably onomatopoeic, and probably influenced by Middle High German klitsch (soft, pulpy mass), from the old technique of creating a printing plate. More at click.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kliʃe/

Noun

cliché m (plural clichés)

  1. (printing) A stereotype.
    La reproduction dans la presse de dessins et de photographies se fait au moyen de clichés typographiques.
  2. (photography) A negative
  3. (by extension) a snapshot
    Prendre un cliché.
  4. cliché
    Le type du cliché, c'est le proverbe, immuable et raide; le lieu commun prend autant de formes qu'il y a de combinaisons possibles dans une langue pour énoncer une sottise ou une incontestable vérité.
    En stylistique, on appelle cliché toute expression qui se trouve banalisée par l'emploi trop courant qui en a déjà été fait (l'aurore aux doigts de rose, l'astre des nuits).

Synonyms

Descendants


Italian

Alternative forms

  • cliscè

Etymology

Borrowing from French cliché.

Noun

cliché m (invariable)

  1. plate (printing)
  2. cliché

Anagrams


Spanish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [kliˈt͡ʃe̞]

Alternative forms

  • clisé

Etymology

From French cliché

Noun

cliché m (plural clichés)

  1. (printing) cliché
  2. (talking) cliché

Anagrams