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figurant

[ fig-yuh-rant, -rahnt; French fee-gy-rahn ]
/ ˌfɪg yəˈrænt, -ˈrɑnt; French fi güˈrɑ̃ /
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See synonyms for figurant on Thesaurus.com
noun
a ballet dancer who does not perform solo.
a performer with no spoken lines.
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Origin of figurant

First recorded in 1775–80; from French, present participle of figurer “to figure, appear, represent,” from Old French, from Latin figūrāre, “to form, shape,” from figūra “form, composition”; see origin at figure

Words nearby figurant

figment, figment of one's imagination, Figueres, figuline, figural, figurant, figurante, figurate, figurate number, figuration, figurative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to figurant

dancer, company, coryphee, danseur, danseuse, figurante, hoofer, prima ballerina

How to use figurant in a sentence

  • The former of these is said to be 45 years of age, and has long been reckoned the best figurant on this stage.

    Travels in France during the years 1814-1815|Archibald Alison

  • He ventures to hold that as much talent is necessary to constitute a tolerable figurant as to make a good actor.

    A Book of the Play|Dutton Cook

  • The figurant, from this modest and accidental beginning of his career as an actor, speedily rose to be famous.

    A Book of the Play|Dutton Cook

British Dictionary definitions for figurant

figurant
/ (ˈfɪɡjʊrənt) /
noun
a ballet dancer who does group work but no solo roles
theatre a minor character, esp one who does not speak

Derived forms of figurant

figurante (ˌfɪɡjʊˈrɒnt), fem n

Word Origin for figurant

C18: from French, from figurer to represent, appear, figure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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