action figure

noun

1. a toy figure with jointed, movable limbs, representing a character in a cartoon, movie, etc., or a real person or animal, often one known for exciting action or extraordinary powers.

action figure

noun

1. a small figure of a character from a film, television programme, comic book etc, designed as a toy and often collected by enthusiasts

Word History and Origins

Origin of action figure¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Ranging from action figures, model kits, custom-made bullet trains and thousand dollar Evangelion-branded Yoji Yamamoto jackets, the brand inspired by Anno’s series is strong, and shows little sign of slowing.

From Time

By the end, Snake Eyes dampens its own so-bad-it's-good potential, in case you hoped to at least laugh and cheer while watching your favorite childhood action figures.

From Ars Technica

Those who can’t resist turning human beings into paper dolls, or the former president into an action figure, should at least keep their cringe to themselves, for all our sakes.

From Washington Post

He’s the most influential action figure in film history and the happiest movie warrior of all time.

From Washington Post

So pack away those action figure and posters, and page through these five nerdy coffee table books.

From Popular-Science

In third person, Grand Theft Auto V was like a really elaborate action figure play set.

From The Daily Beast

Braving gale-force winds, heading off the Falklands, or saving lost hikers—the Duke of Cambridge has become an action figure.

From The Daily Beast

The project that has Roth upset is Max Steel, based on a Mattel action figure.

From The Daily Beast

Regularly $15.99, the Woods action figure had been slashed to $9.98.

From The Daily Beast