[klee-shey, kli-] 
| 1. | a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox. |
| 2. | (in art, literature, drama, etc.) a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc. |
| 3. | anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse. |
| 4. | British Printing.
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| 5. | trite; hackneyed; stereotyped; clichéd. |
| cli·ché also cliche (klē-shā') n.
[French, past participle of clicher, to stereotype (imitative of the sound made when the matrix is dropped into molten metal to make a stereotype plate).] Synonyms: These nouns denote an expression or idea that has lost its originality or force through overuse: a short story weakened by clichés; the old bromide that we are what we eat; uttered the commonplace "welcome aboard"; a eulogy full of platitudes; a once-original thought that has become a truism. |
A much used expression that has lost its freshness and descriptive power. Some clichés are “I thank you from the bottom of my heart” and “It's only a drop in the bucket.”