trope
5 synonyms for trope, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A recurring device, theme or cliché in storytelling — the plucky orphan, the last-minute dash to the airport.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use trope
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a common trope
subvert the trope
tired trope
Etymology
From Greek "tropos," a turn or way — a turn of phrase, hence a figure of speech, and later a recurring narrative device.
Full origin of trope →Frequently asked questions
What does trope mean?
A familiar, recurring device in stories — a stock character, situation or plot turn that audiences recognise. In literary study it also means a figure of speech such as metaphor or irony.
Is a trope the same as a cliché?
Not quite. A trope is a recognisable convention and can be used well or badly. A cliché is a trope that has been used so often it has gone stale.
