figurine

noun

fig·​u·​rine ˌfi-g(y)ə-ˈrēn How to pronounce figurine (audio)
Synonyms of figurinenext
: a small carved or molded figure : statuette

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of figurine in a Sentence

his collection of figurines includes toy soldiers from every war that America has fought
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The gold figurines and mirrors are not yet present The fireplace mantel held only a green plant, and the portraits on the walls were generously spaced out for a more traditional aesthetic. — David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 Star Wars figurines have been in demand since release. — Paul Brett, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025 These larger figurines have detachable heads and small holes in their necks and craniums. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 The bodies of the figurines have a conical protrusion that matches the shape of a socket in the head, according to the study. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for figurine

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Italian figurina, from figura "shape, figure entry 1" (going back to Latin figūra) + -ina, feminine of -ino, diminutive suffix (going back to Latin -īnus, suffix of appurtenance)

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of figurine was in 1844

Rhymes for figurine

See All Rhymes for figurine

Browse Nearby Words

figurine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figurine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurine. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

figurine

noun
fig·​u·​rine ˌfig-(y)ə-ˈrēn How to pronounce figurine (audio)
: a small carved or molded figure

More from Merriam-Webster on figurine

Nglish: Translation of figurine for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All