mannequin
Americannoun
-
a styled and three-dimensional representation of the human form used in window displays, as of clothing; dummy.
-
a wooden figure or model of the human figure used by tailors, dress designers, etc., for fitting or making clothes.
-
a person employed to wear clothing to be photographed or to be displayed before customers, buyers, etc.; a clothes model.
noun
-
a woman who wears the clothes displayed at a fashion show; model
-
a life-size dummy of the human body used to fit or display clothes
-
arts another name for lay figure
Etymology
Origin of mannequin
1560–70; < French < Dutch; manikin
Explanation
A mannequin is a human-like figure that's usually used to display clothing in a store. A mannequin in a department store window can look quite normal, but a mannequin in someone's home can look downright creepy. Any store that sells clothes is likely to have at least a few mannequins, so shoppers can see what dresses and sweaters and hats look like on a (fake) person's body. Another kind of mannequin, more often called a "dressmaker's dummy" is helpful to someone who's sewing a skirt or piecing together a suit. Still other mannequins are used to practice emergency techniques, from CPR to water rescues by the Coast Guard.
Vocabulary lists containing mannequin
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
You Bring the Distant Near
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Stormbreaker
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Her favorite colors, without a doubt, I would say are purple and burgundy," the 63-year-old pattern-maker and tailor told AFP amid her sewing machines and a mannequin on which she assembles the presidential wardrobe.
From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026
Neo looks like a cross between a fencing instructor and a Lululemon mannequin.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025
In some cases, they said they have resorted to using afro hair mannequin heads due to a lack of real models.
From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025
The login page featured an eerie photo of a male mannequin.
From Slate • Aug. 4, 2025
The space traveler was Ivan Ivanovich, an amazingly lifelike mannequin built specially for this final dress rehearsal.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
