action figure

American  

noun

action figures plural

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.

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action figure British  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• action figures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of action figure

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

New toy: Buzz Lightyear, an action figure convinced he’s a real space hero.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

But he's concerned action figure commissions could soon dry up, as well as the public perception of his work, from thousands of AI images mimicking his passion.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

“An actor is what he looks like,” Sylvester Stallone told The New York Times in 1976, and more than most stars, Stallone has been viewed as an action figure come to life.

From New York Times • Nov. 2, 2023

At his booth, Gilday sold a stormtrooper action figure — still in its box — for around $10.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2023

Shoto’s robot looked like an action figure next to Sorrento’s massive metal dragon.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline