View synonyms for

pigeonhole

[pij-uhn-hohl]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc.
a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.
Also called white hole.��Also called pigeon hole,.��Printing.��white space created by setting words or lines too far apart.

verb (used with object)

pigeonholed, pigeonholing

to assign to a definite place or to definite places in some orderly system.
to pigeonhole new ideas.
Synonyms: ,
to lay aside for use or reference at some later, indefinite time.
We must pigeonhole this excellent plan until the time is ripe.
Synonyms:
to put aside for the present, especially with the intention of ignoring or forgetting, often indefinitely.
to pigeonhole an unwanted invitation.
Synonyms: ,
to place in or as if in a pigeonhole or pigeonholes.
to pigeonhole papers.
to fit or provide with pigeonholes.
The desk must be pigeonholed for all my papers.

pigeonhole

/ ˈ��ɪ��ɪ��ˌ��əʊ�� /

noun

a small compartment for papers, letters, etc, as in a bureau
a hole or recess in a dovecote for pigeons to nest in
informal��a category or classification

verb

to put aside or defer
to classify or categorize, esp in a rigid manner

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeonhole¹

First recorded in 1570–80; pigeon ¹ + hole

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

So think outside the box, don’t be complacent or feel pigeonholed that you have to write in a bunch of magic tricks.

From

If that seems like a change from the feminist speculative fiction of her breakthrough, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Atwood has refused to be pigeonholed.

From

It’s the ideal part for Hamlin, who says that, from the beginning of his career, he fought against being pigeonholed as a leading man to seek smaller, more challenging roles as a consummate character actor.

From

But wary of being pigeonholed, she longed for an opportunity to transform and explore the complex inner lives of everyday women, as she did in “Dolores Claiborne.”

From

The Hoover article was what we in the news biz often pigeonhole as “interesting, if true.”

From

pigeon-hearted pigeonite

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