mannequin

American  

[man-i-kin] / ˈmæn ɪ kɪn /

Or manikin

noun

• mannequins
  plural

1. a styled and three-dimensional representation of the human form used in window displays, as of clothing; dummy.

2. a wooden figure or model of the human figure used by tailors, dress designers, etc., for fitting or making clothes.

3. a person employed to wear clothing to be photographed or to be displayed before customers, buyers, etc.; a clothes model.

4. lay figure.

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mannequin British  

/ ˈmænɪkɪn /

noun

1. a woman who wears the clothes displayed at a fashion show; model

2. a life-size dummy of the human body used to fit or display clothes

3. arts another name for lay figure

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mannequins
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mannequin

1560–70; < French < Dutch; see manikin

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mannequin mannequins

And for those times when he isn’t available in person, Specialized keeps a full-scale Evenepoel mannequin who can sit on the bike in his place.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Just inside the door, there was a flimsy mannequin with the face of a much younger, slimmer Trump, wearing a red “Trump 2028” hat, a dark suit, and a signature red tie.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

The image of the red Tesla occupied by a mannequin dubbed Starman -- after David Bowie -- was seen around the world.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

The Football Focus team gave it a go, standing completely still like a mannequin in a shop window for the opening of the show.

From BBC ● May 21, 2026

He lifts up a small mannequin and lays it faceup on the board.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

After all, the former right-back had directly questioned a lack of effort, and referred to the players as "mannequins".

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

The only jerseys in the store for Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappé were worn by mannequins.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Equipped with beds, mannequins, a mock laboratory, and protective gear, the simulation centre prepares doctors, nurses, and clinicians for deployments in DRC, or from regional countries at risk from the spreading disease.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

The designs seen together — lined up on mannequins at the studio’s far end, sketches of their silhouettes plastered across the walls — feel like something out of a superhero’s wardrobe from the future.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

Dresses—prom, homecoming, cocktail, formal, even wedding—were displayed on mannequins.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

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Related Words

• dummy

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