Frankenstein
Americannoun
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a person who creates a monster or a destructive agency that cannot be controlled or that brings about the creator's ruin.
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Also called Frankenstein monster. the monster or destructive agency itself.
noun
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a person who creates something that brings about his ruin
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Also called: Frankenstein's monster. a thing that destroys its creator
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Frequently the subject of horror films, the monster is usually pictured with an oversized square brow, metal bolts in his neck and forehead, and greenish skin. People often mistakenly refer to the monster, rather than to his creator, as “Frankenstein.”
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Frankenstein
First recorded in 1830–40; after a character in Mary Shelley's novel of the same name (1818)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is the formula for these legacy sequels: Strip the original film for parts and then Frankenstein those parts into something new.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
As the bestseller “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies” pointed out last year, the companies creating these digital Frankenstein monsters don’t even know how they operate.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
That means avoiding “pointers,” wordings that could lead to multiple correct responses, and “traps,” such as referring to a creepy scientist from Gothic literature other than Victor Frankenstein.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
During the 1970s, San Fernando High football coach Bill Marsh created something scarier than Frankenstein: the wishbone offense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
He pointed out different types of citrus trees, including some Frankenstein experiments of his own.
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
