cliché
Sign in to saveA cliché ( or ; ) is a saying, idea, or element of an artistic work that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning, novelty, or figurative or artistic power, even to the point of now being bland or uninteresting. In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning, referring to an expression imposed by conventionalized linguistic usage.
AI overview
A cliché is a saying, idea, or artistic element that has been used so much that it has lost its original impact, freshness, and meaning, becoming bland or uninteresting instead. It matters because overused expressions and ideas can fail to communicate effectively or engage audiences the way they once did.
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6 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Usage
- Thought-terminating cliché
- See also
- References
- Further reading
A cliché ( or ; ) is a saying, idea, or element of an artistic work that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning, novelty, or figurative or artistic power, even to the point of now being bland or uninteresting. In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning, referring to an expression imposed by conventionalized linguistic usage.
The term, which is typically pejorative, is often used in modern culture for an action or idea that is expected or predictable, based on a prior event. Clichés may or may not be true. Some are stereotypes, but some are simply truisms and facts. Clichés often are employed for comedic effect, typically in fiction.