pigeonholing

[pij-uhn-hohl-ing]

pigeonholing Definition

• 1. to assign someone or something to a particular category, often an overly restrictive one
• 2. to put aside or ignore certain aspects of a person or thing in order to fit them into a preconceived category

Using pigeonholing: Examples

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

• Example

  Don't pigeonhole me as just a salesperson; I have many other skills.

• Example

  The book was pigeonholed as a romance novel, but it actually has elements of several genres.

• Example

  We need to avoid pigeonholing people based on their race or gender.

pigeonholing Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pigeonholing

• categorize
• classify
• label
• stereotype

Antonyms for pigeonholing

• unclassify
• uncategorize

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Summary: pigeonholing in Brief

Pigeonholing [pij-uhn-hohl-ing] is the act of assigning someone or something to a particular category, often an overly restrictive one. It can also mean ignoring certain aspects of a person or thing in order to fit them into a preconceived category. Synonyms include 'categorize,' 'classify,' 'label,' and 'stereotype.' Examples of pigeonholing include labeling someone as just a salesperson when they have other skills, or categorizing a book as a romance novel when it has elements of several genres.