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

In the final result, the dresses only fit their respective figure and position—they can’t even be moved from one mannequin to the other. —Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026

The silhouettes, presented custom mannequins cast from a sculpture of Talley by SCAD alum Stephen Hayes, will include pieces from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, John Galliano-era Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès and Roger Vivier. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026

There’s something creepy about department store mannequins. —Kelli Skye Fadroski, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026

Lew explained to the jury the trajectory of the bullet, completing a demonstration with a cloth mannequin. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 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