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Fictional Characters dictionary results for Mary Sue.

Mary Sue

American  
[mer-ee soo, mair-ee] / ˈmɛr i ˈsu, ˈmɛər i /

noun

  1. a fictional character, especially a female character, who is considered to be unrealistically competent, attractive, and lacking in flaws, and is sometimes thought to be an idealized representation of the author.


Etymology

Origin of Mary Sue

First recorded in 1975–80; after the main character in a Star Trek fan fiction parody story

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.

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Back in the 1990s, chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger took over Food Network with “Too Hot Tamales,” launching them into celebrity chef status before that was even a thing.

From Salon Feb. 8, 2025

Mary Sue Coleman, past president of the Association of American Universities, notes, “Administrators must balance salaries and benefits across the employee spectrum, not simply for one group.”

From Science Magazine Nov. 3, 2023

Since Dr. Schlissel’s departure in January, the university has been run by an interim president, Mary Sue Coleman, who had been Dr. Schlissel’s predecessor in the job until he took office in 2014.

From New York Times Jul. 13, 2022

He was succeeded in the position on an interim basis by Mary Sue Coleman.

From Washington Post Jan. 19, 2022

“It appears there has been a lackluster response to the water emergency,” said Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer, who thinks restricting water flow could provide the wakeup call some people need.

From Seattle Times Jan. 18, 2022

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