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

• dummy
• figure
• form
• manikin
• mannikin

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

When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025

In the skills lab, students can be found in their signature purple scrubs, introducing themselves to the mannequins and asking them about their pain, said Brenda Solari, the Meridian site director, on a tour of the campus. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025

The Lexus stopped in both scenarios, but the Tesla on Autopilot struggled to detect the mannequin in adverse weather conditions. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025

Intentional details, such as the mannequin’s woolen hair crafted by Angelo Seminara, add an air of whimsy to the otherwise wabi-sabi setting. —Denni Hu, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025

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