adj

Stepford

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Stepford (adj) means Eerily obedient and conformist, especially in a way that suggests someone has had their individuality stripped away. Example: “The new employees seemed almost Stepford in how quickly they agreed with everything management said.”

adj

Eerily obedient and conformist, especially in a way that suggests someone has had their individuality stripped away.

"The new employees seemed almost Stepford in how quickly they agreed with everything management said."

"She hated the Stepford vibe of the gated community, where every lawn and every smile looked identical."

Good-looking but bland, as if polished on the outside with no real personality underneath.

"He was handsome in a Stepford sort of way, all veneers and no substance."

How to use Stepford

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCreepily perfect and compliant, like a robot copy of a real person.

Common mistake

Usually used as "Stepford wife" or "Stepford-like," rarely as a standalone noun.

Common pairings

Stepford wife Stepford smile a Stepford town

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Stepfords

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Fill the gap

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The new employees seemed almost _____ in how quickly they agreed with everything management said.

Etymology

From the 1972 novel and film "The Stepford Wives," in which the women of a fictional town are secretly replaced by docile, perfectly obedient robotic duplicates.

· First attested 1972

Class of 1972 Stepford joined the language around 1972.

virus Watergate

See the full Class of 1972 →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Stepford” mean?

The word “Stepford” means eerily obedient and conformist, especially in a way that suggests someone has had their individuality stripped away. In plain terms, creepily perfect and compliant, like a robot copy of a real person.

How do you use “Stepford” in a sentence?

Here is “Stepford” used in a sentence: “The new employees seemed almost Stepford in how quickly they agreed with everything management said.”

What part of speech is “Stepford”?

“Stepford” is an adjective.

Where does the word “Stepford” come from?

The word “Stepford” dates back to around 1972. From the 1972 novel and film "The Stepford Wives," in which the women of a fictional town are secretly replaced by docile, perfectly obedient robotic duplicates.

How many meanings does “Stepford” have?

“Stepford” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: eerily obedient and conformist, especially in a way that suggests someone has had their individuality stripped away.