Stereotyped means reduced to a simple, oversimplified image that doesn't capture real complexity or individuality. When a character in a movie is stereotyped, they're written to match common assumptions about a group rather than being developed as a unique person. A stereotyped villain might twirl a mustache and cackle, hitting all the expected villain notes without feeling like a real person.

When people or things are stereotyped, they're treated as if they're all identical copies rather than individuals with their own qualities.

You might encounter stereotyped characters in poorly written stories: the nerdy kid who always pushes up their glasses, the jock who only cares about sports, the scientist who can't understand normal conversation. Real nerdy kids, athletes, and scientists are far more interesting and varied than these flat portraits suggest.

When someone complains that a group is being stereotyped, they're pointing out that everyone in that group is being painted with the same broad brush, ignoring the actual differences between individuals. Good writers, filmmakers, and storytellers work hard to avoid stereotyped characters, creating people who feel real and surprising.