Peter Pan

American  

noun

1. the hero of Sir James M. Barrie's play about a boy who never grew up.

2. (italics) the play itself (1904).

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Peter Pan British  

noun

1. a youthful, boyish, or immature man

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Peter Pan Cultural  

1. (1904) A play by the Scottish author James Matthew Barrie about a boy who lives in Neverland, better known as Never-Never Land, a country where no child ever grows up. Peter brings the three children of the Darling family from London to Never-Never Land; they eventually decide not to stay, but Wendy, the eldest, promises to return every spring. Peter is assisted by his guardian fairy, Tinker Bell, and in the play he defeats his enemy, the pirate Captain Hook.

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Etymology

Origin of Peter Pan

C20: after the main character in Peter Pan (1904), a play by J. M. Barrie

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Peter Pan

Both Hole’s Courtney Love and Babes in Toyland’s Kat Bjelland claimed to be the first to perform in vintage, threadbare dresses with Peter Pan collars and puff sleeves, accessorized with knee socks and Mary Janes.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

The village was initially developed as an exclusive resort for wealthy holidaymakers in the 19th Century, with the Meare boating lake inspired by the story of Peter Pan.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

I read Hans Christian Andersen’s sad and frightening tales; I read the E. Nesbit books, and the usual children’s classics of the time, such as Treasure Island and Peter Pan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2025

George Webster will be one of Captain Hook's pirates in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan, at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton over the festive season.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2025

Basta took Peter Pan out of his waistband and put the book down on the steps.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke