定型 literally means 'to fix the shape' — 定 (dìng) means 'to fix, settle, or determine', and 型 (xíng) means 'form, type, or model'. Together, 定型 describes the process of finalizing something that was previously flexible or provisional: a plan, design, hairstyle, product specification, or even a person’s character or habits. It implies a transition from uncertainty or experimentation to stability and consistency.

This verb is commonly used in contexts involving planning, manufacturing, personal development, and aesthetics. For example, designers 定型 a prototype before mass production; students 定型 their study routines after adjusting for a semester; and hairstylists 定型 hair using gel or spray. While it can be used transitively (e.g., 定型这个方案), it’s often paired with 把 or 在…后 to clarify what is being finalized and under what conditions. It carries a neutral-to-positive connotation — suggesting maturity, readiness, or professional completion.