stick figure

noun

1. a diagrammatic drawing representing a human or animal, usually made with one line each for the torso and appendages, and often a circle for the head.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stick figure¹

Probably earlier than 1945–50

Example Sentences

Those who saw the renders with genderless stick figures preferred the women’s match, 59 percent to 41 percent.

From FiveThirtyEight

A little stick figure with a wedge-shaped head shuffles across the screen.

From MIT Technology Review

Close by, the artist’s “Pyramidian” evokes a gigantic stick figure, its arms thrown wide open as if to embrace the world.

From Washington Post

Each was slightly different, and each bore some resemblance to a stick-figure, a geometrical figure or just a childish scrawl.

From Project Gutenberg