paper doll

noun

1. a paper or cardboard, usually two-dimensional, representation of the human figure, used as a child's toy.

2. Usually paper dolls. a connected series of doll-like figures cut from folded paper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper doll¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

She was old and fragile, like a paper doll.

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Lain flat, the garments look like clothes for paper dolls: angular, boxy and wide.

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A snapshot of those paper dolls — actually cut-out photos of the actors in costume — is on Wingate’s Instagram page, along with photos of items she re-created for the actors.

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For dreaming up fantasy fashion statements, combining any given celebrity with any given clothing ensemble like an infinite set of paper dolls.

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They’re printed and cut out like paper dolls, before you put the clothes on.

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