Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cliché

/kliˈʃeɪ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.19 in modern English

Syllables: cli-ché
IPA: /kliˈʃeɪ/

12

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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.

noun

A stereotype (printing plate).

adj

Clichéd; having the characteristics of a cliché.

verb

To use a cliché; to make up a word or a name that sounds like a cliché.

Example Sentences

"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."
"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 again"
"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 ways"
"He clichéd at me. He clichéd at me in a perky, condescending tone."

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French cliché.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /kliˈʃeɪ/
British English: /ˈkliː.ʃeɪ/

Inflected Forms

clichés (plural) cliche (alternative) more cliché (comparative) most cliché (superlative) clichés (present, singular) clichéing (participle, present) clichéd (participle, past) clichéd (past) clichéed (participle, past) clichéed (past, rare)

Derived Forms

clichéd clichély

Phrases

cliché-ridden cliché verre line cliché thought-terminating cliché tired cliché

Frequently Paired Words

click

Synonyms

convention platitude stereotype trope byword saying adage saw proverb maxim apothegm apophthegm

Homonyms

cliche

Rhymes With

they way may day say one-way away play today pay stay re

Questions

How do you pronounce cliché?: The recorded pronunciation is /kliˈʃeɪ/.
What does cliché mean?: 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.
Where does cliché come from?: Unadapted borrowing from French cliché.

How to pronounce cliché

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cliché”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kliˈʃeɪ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cliché”.
Repeat and practice — Say “cliché” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.