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  

/ 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

Protesters chanted slogans against Sheinbaum and a group burned a cardboard effigy of her.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

Currently nominated for multiple Oscars, Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” traces how the immeasurable sorrow of losing a child fueled William Shakespeare to write “Hamlet” as a literary effigy to loss.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 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

True to its name, every structure is temporary as many buildings, along with the effigy, are burned to the ground by the end of the festival.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2025

At first he was a silent effigy of sorrow; but then the lamentation rose out of him, loud and sustained as the conch.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Two other bonfires in the Creggan and Top of the Hill areas of the city also had flags and effigies placed on them before being set slight.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

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

Students had gathered on the hockey field nearby, burning paper effigies of Gowon around a glowing bonfire; the smoke curled into the night air and mixed with their laughter and chatter.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• likeness
• statue