cliche

[kliːʃeɪ]

cliche Definition

• 1. a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
• 2. a very predictable or unoriginal thing or person

Using cliche: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cliche" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  'time heals all wounds' is a cliche.

• Example

  The movie was full of cliches.

• Example

  He's a walking cliche.

• Example

  The writer avoided using cliches in his work.

cliche Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for cliche

• platitude
• banality
• truism
• stereotype
• hackneyed phrase

Antonyms for cliche

• originality
• innovation

Phrases with cliche

• cliche-ridden

  full of cliches

  Example

  The book was so cliche-ridden that it was hard to take seriously.

• cliche of something

  a stereotype or overused idea associated with something

  Example

  The idea that all politicians are corrupt is a cliche of politics.

• cliche as it may sound

  used to introduce a statement that is a cliche but still true

  Example

  Cliche as it may sound, honesty is always the best policy.

Origins of cliche

from French 'cliché', meaning 'stereotype'

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Summary: cliche in Brief

A 'cliche' [kliːʃeɪ] is an overused phrase or opinion that lacks originality. It can also refer to a predictable or unoriginal thing or person. Examples include 'time heals all wounds' and 'He's a walking cliche.' The term extends into phrases like 'cliche-ridden' and 'cliche of something,' and is often used to introduce a statement that is a cliche but still true, as in 'Cliche as it may sound, honesty is always the best policy.'