Library / English Dictionary

PIGEONHOLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small compartment

Synonyms:

cubbyhole; pigeonhole

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pigeonhole" is a kind of...):

compartment (a space into which an area is subdivided)

Derivation:

pigeonhole (place into a small compartment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A specific (often simplistic) category

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("pigeonhole" is a kind of...):

category (a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme)

Derivation:

pigeonhole (treat or classify according to a mental stereotype)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Treat or classify according to a mental stereotype

Example:

I was stereotyped as a lazy Southern European

Synonyms:

pigeonhole; stamp; stereotype

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "pigeonhole" is one way to...):

assort; class; classify; separate; sort; sort out (arrange or order by classes or categories)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

pigeonhole (a specific (often simplistic) category)

pigeonholing (a system for classifying things into groups)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Place into a small compartment

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "pigeonhole" is one way to...):

lay; place; pose; position; put; set (put into a certain place or abstract location)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

pigeonhole (a small compartment)

Credits