mannequin

noun

man·​ne·​quin ˈma-ni-kən 

1

: an artist's, tailor's, or dressmaker's lay figure

also : a form representing the human figure used especially for displaying clothes

2

: one employed to model clothing

Synonyms of mannequin

• doll
• dummy

Examples of mannequin in a Sentence

the mannequin over there looks so real

mannequins striding down the catwalk in the designer's spring collection

Recent Examples on the Web

The exhibition is punctuated by large-scale installations including male mannequins performing spectacular stunts atop moving boxes (58% Poliéster, 2025) and schoolbags dropped on the floor as if teenagers had just left the room (Para baixo MUITO, or Down VERY MUCH, 2025). —K. Desbouis, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2026

Through throwback posts, people have been traveling back to the year when dog and flower crown Snapchat filters, Instagram eyebrows, the mannequin challenge and the Chainsmokers were everywhere. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Behind her, there’s a fallen mannequin of a man with blood around his mouth. —Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Two of the mannequins will be replicas of local dogs, a black poodle and golden retriever. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Dutch mannekijn little man — more at manikin

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mannequin

• manikin

Kids Definition

mannequin

noun

man·​ne·​quin ˈman-i-kən 

1

: an artist's, tailor's, or dressmaker's jointed figure of the human body

2

: a form representing the human figure used especially for displaying clothes

3

: a person employed to model clothing