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.

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Etymology

Origin of Mary Sue

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

Example Sentences

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

Cummins’ grandmother, Mary Sue Hosale, was 67 at the time of the attack and survived.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 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