effigy

American  

[ef-i-jee] / ˈɛf ɪ dʒi /

noun

• effigies
  plural

1. a representation or image, especially sculptured, as on a monument.

2. a crude representation of someone disliked, used for purposes of ridicule.

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idioms

1. in effigy, in public view in the form of an effigy.

   a leader hanged in effigy by the mob.

effigy British  

/ ɪˈfɪdʒɪəl, ˈɛfɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. a portrait of a person, esp as a monument or architectural decoration

2. a crude representation of someone, used as a focus for contempt or ridicule and often hung up or burnt in public (often in the phrases burn or hang in effigy )

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effigy More Idioms  

1. see in effigy.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• effigial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• effigies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of effigy

1530–40; (< Middle French ) < Latin effigia, equivalent to effig- ( ef- ef- + fig- shape, form; see figure) + -ia -y ³

Explanation

In modern usage, effigy most often refers to a likeness, such as a dummy, that is hanged, burned, or otherwise abused when protesting the despised person's actions. If you've encountered the phrase "in effigy,” it's probably been in a news report about protesters burning a stuffed figure made to look like a loathed corporate leader or head of state. Since the 18th century or longer, effigies have been destroyed in place of individuals who, as far as the angry crowd is concerned, have escaped justice. Effigy can also refer to a sculptural portrait of the deceased reclining upon a burial monument.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

effigy effigies

And then she threw it across the room; not in an effigy, just in a ... she’s dealing with school.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

But the dunking spawned the legend of the "Curse of the Colonel" that said the Tigers would never win another title until the effigy was recovered.

From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025

The 11m effigy of Sir Keir will take centre stage on Saturday, alongside a giant Guy Fawkes.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2025

True to the festival’s name, every structure at Burning Man is temporary, as many buildings, along with the effigy, are set on fire by the end of the festival.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2025

"Fair enough. So long as the probe gets to Hermes, they can burn me in effigy for all I care."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

He said there were "lots of ideas of how it first started" but looking back through history, "most of it was to do with 1605 when bonfires and effigies were burnt and barrels were plentiful".

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2025

These modern effigies to mass production and over-consumption carry their own history, gained from both the seller in need and the tourist who purchases them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2024

Venezuelans set effigies on fire as part of an Easter tradition, while zookeepers in Chile treated their animals to Easter eggs filled with snacks.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 4, 2024

“We’ve seen this time and time again from groups across countries where groups will burn effigies, crosses and other items, or even just film themselves around large conflagrations,” he said in a email to AP.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2023

A vast low swale where ferns and hydrangeas and wild orchids lived on in ashen effigies which the wind had not yet reached.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Related Words

• likeness
• statue