Walter Mitty

noun

, plural Walter Mittys.

1. an ordinary, timid person who is given to adventurous and self-aggrandizing daydreams or secret plans as a way of glamorizing a humdrum life.

Other Words From

• Walter Mittyish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Walter Mitty¹

From the title character of James Thurber's short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (1939)

Idioms and Phrases

A person, generally quite ordinary or ineffectual, who indulges in fantastic daydreams of personal triumphs. For example, He's a Walter Mitty about riding in a rodeo but is actually afraid of horses . This term comes from James Thurber's short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1939), describing just such a character.

Example Sentences

Ben Stiller is Walter Mitty, a man about to lose his job but ready to go on an adventure that reignites a sense of purpose.

From Washington Post

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• idealist