Frankenstein
noun
Fran·ken·stein
ˈfraŋ-kən-ˌstīn 
also -ˌstēn
1
a
: the title character in Mary W. Shelley's novel Frankenstein who creates a monster that ruins his life
b
: a monster in the shape of a man especially in popularized versions of the Frankenstein story
2
: a monstrous creation
especially
: a work or agency that ruins its originator
Examples of Frankenstein in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gibbons had created his very own fashion Frankenstein’s monster: a playful synthesis of sportswear and corsetry.
—
Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Pierce went on to create the iconic versions of characters such as Frankenstein’s monster and the Wolf Man.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Following First Two Pages of Frankenstein, the National released the new album Laugh Track in September.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 21 Nov. 2023
Creatures like Godzilla and King Kong have long existed, like other classic Hollywood monsters such as the Wolfman, Frankenstein and Dracula, as representations of the times their movies were made in.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023
One of the most prolific directors of the decade, Whale — portrayed by Ian McKellen in the 1998 feature Gods and Monsters — directed horror classics including Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein and appropriately, The Old Dark House.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
Bridgers also featured on two songs from the National’s first album of 2023, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which arrived back in April (and also featured Sufjan Stevens and Taylor Swift).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Now able to speak about the Frankenstein reimagining after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Dafoe discussed his experience filming Yorgos Lanthimos’s upcoming black comedy.
—Valerie Wu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2023
There is limited fossil evidence of the terror bird, so in designing one the production team tried to Frankenstein it from modern-day descendants.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
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Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Pierce went on to create the iconic versions of characters such as Frankenstein’s monster and the Wolf Man.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Following First Two Pages of Frankenstein, the National released the new album Laugh Track in September.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 21 Nov. 2023
Creatures like Godzilla and King Kong have long existed, like other classic Hollywood monsters such as the Wolfman, Frankenstein and Dracula, as representations of the times their movies were made in.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023
One of the most prolific directors of the decade, Whale — portrayed by Ian McKellen in the 1998 feature Gods and Monsters — directed horror classics including Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein and appropriately, The Old Dark House.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
Bridgers also featured on two songs from the National’s first album of 2023, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which arrived back in April (and also featured Sufjan Stevens and Taylor Swift).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Now able to speak about the Frankenstein reimagining after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Dafoe discussed his experience filming Yorgos Lanthimos’s upcoming black comedy.
—Valerie Wu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2023
There is limited fossil evidence of the terror bird, so in designing one the production team tried to Frankenstein it from modern-day descendants.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Frankenstein.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
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Cite this Entry
“Frankenstein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Frankenstein. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on Frankenstein
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Frankenstein
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