central casting
noun
: the department of a movie studio responsible for casting actors especially viewed as a source of people who are stereotypical of their role in appearance, behavior, or nature
a politician right out of central casting
Examples of central casting in a Sentence
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There are a few characters—the cowboy who leads horseback rides through the canyon (straight from central casting, but totally legit), or the guide who takes you hiking into the desert who knows how to survive on cactus and insects and also feels the presence of Navajo ghosts.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
But then what’s with all the stevedores from central casting?
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
McGlinchey felt like the kid was straight out of central casting.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Then here is a man straight from central casting who arrives just before midnight, which makes for a great story.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for central casting
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
But then what’s with all the stevedores from central casting?
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
McGlinchey felt like the kid was straight out of central casting.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Then here is a man straight from central casting who arrives just before midnight, which makes for a great story.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for central casting
Cite this Entry
“Central casting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central%20casting. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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