barbie
Medium-HighInformal
Definition
Meaning
A type of doll manufactured by Mattel, representing a fashionably dressed young woman; a brand name that has become generic for a certain style of doll.
In Australian and New Zealand English, an informal term for a barbecue (barbecue). Also used in slang to refer to an attractive young woman.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is polysemous with a significant regional split. The doll meaning is global. The 'barbecue' meaning is strongly regional (Australasia).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Barbie' is almost exclusively the doll. In the US, it is also primarily the doll, though Americans are aware of the Australian usage from media.
Connotations
The doll carries connotations of fashion, consumerism, and (sometimes controversially) unrealistic body standards. The Australasian usage is purely practical and social.
Frequency
High frequency globally for the doll, especially in contexts involving children, toys, or popular culture. The 'barbecue' meaning has negligible frequency outside Australasia.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to play with a Barbieto have a barbie (barbecue)to throw a barbieVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life in plastic, it's fantastic (from Barbie Girl song)”
- “Barbie dream world (unrealistically perfect situation)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in the context of toy manufacturing, retail, and branding (e.g., 'Barbie sales figures').
Academic
Appears in cultural studies, media analysis, and gender studies discussing the doll's societal impact.
Everyday
Common in conversations about children's toys, childhood memories, and (in Australasia) weekend plans.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts outside of specific manufacturing or marketing discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children love to Barbie-and-Ken.
- She spent the afternoon Barbie-ing with her friends.
American English
- They're just Barbie-ing in the playroom.
- The ad campaign aims to re-Barbie the brand.
adjective
British English
- She has a very Barbie aesthetic.
- The party was Barbie-themed.
American English
- It's a Barbie-pink convertible.
- He's living a Barbie dream life.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister has a new Barbie.
- We ate sausages at the barbie.
- She collected vintage Barbie dolls from the 1960s.
- Let's have a barbie in the backyard this Saturday.
- The film deconstructs the Barbie mythos and its impact on body image.
- He's the designated chef at every family barbie.
- The brand's attempt to diversify the Barbie range was a shrewd marketing move.
- The quintessential Australian summer involves a 'shrimp on the barbie', despite the cliché.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Barbie' with a capital B for the Brand of doll, and with a lowercase 'b' and an Aussie accent for the barbecue.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BARBIE DOLL IS A BLANK CANVAS FOR ASPIRATION AND FANTASY. / A SOCIAL EVENT (BARBIE) IS AN OUTDOOR MEAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'barbie' (doll) as 'барбик' (a male name diminutive). The correct borrowing is 'Барби'.
- In a text about Australia, 'barbie' means 'барбекю', not the doll.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'barbie' to mean barbecue in American or British English will cause confusion.
- Capitalization: The doll is a proper noun ('Barbie'), while the Australasian barbecue is a common noun ('barbie').
Practice
Quiz
In which region does 'barbie' commonly mean a barbecue?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to the doll brand, yes, it is a trademark and proper noun (capital B). When used in Australasian English for a barbecue, it is a common noun (lowercase b).
No, it is not standard American English and will likely be misunderstood as referring to the doll. Use 'BBQ', 'barbecue', or 'cookout' instead.
Launched in 1959, Barbie became a global icon, influencing generations' perceptions of fashion, career roles for women, and beauty standards, often sparking debate.
It is a classic example of Australian English abbreviation, shortening 'barbecue' and adding the diminutive '-ie' suffix, common in Australian slang (e.g., 'brekkie' for breakfast).