figurine
C1Formal to neutral; common in collecting, art, museum, and hobbyist contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A small ornamental statuette, usually depicting a human, animal, or fictional character, often for decoration or collection.
Any small sculpted figure, typically under 12 inches tall, made of materials like porcelain, clay, metal, or plastic, commonly associated with collectibles, museum reproductions, or tabletop gaming pieces.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies crafted detail and often artistic or sentimental value; distinguishes from a toy or crude model by finesse. Can be mass-produced (e.g., Hummel figurines) or artisanal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; 'statuette' is a slightly more formal synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
In UK contexts, often associated with antique porcelain (e.g., Royal Doulton); in US, also strongly tied to pop‑culture collectibles (e.g., Funko Pop!).
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects; slightly higher frequency in US due to broader pop‑culture merchandise market.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[collect/display/paint] a figurinefigurine [of a dancer/an animal/a deity]figurine [made of porcelain/cast in bronze]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; occasional 'dust‑collector' for unwanted decorative figurines.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In retail/manufacturing: 'The new line of collectible figurines launches next quarter.'
Academic
In art/archaeology: 'The terracotta figurine dates to the Hellenistic period.'
Everyday
At home: 'She keeps her grandmother's porcelain figurines in a display cabinet.'
Technical
In 3D printing/gaming: 'The resin figurine requires careful post‑processing.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
adverb
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
adjective
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a small figurine of a cat on her shelf.
- The figurine is made of glass.
- He collects antique figurines from the Victorian era.
- This porcelain figurine is very delicate.
- The museum gift shop sells replicas of ancient Greek figurines.
- Her collection includes several hand‑painted ceramic figurines.
- The archeologist unearthed a ritual figurine depicting a fertility goddess.
- These limited‑edition figurines are highly sought after by collectors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'figure' + '‑ine' (as in 'miniature') → a small figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FIGURINE IS A FROZEN MOMENT (captures a pose/action in static form).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'фигурка' (игрушка/маленькая фигура) – перевод близкий, но 'figurine' чаще подразумевает художественную ценность, а не игровую.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing as /ˈfɪɡ.ə.raɪn/ (incorrect stress/vowel); using for large statues; misspelling as 'figureen'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'figurine' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A figurine is small (usually under 30 cm) and often decorative or collectible; a statue is life‑size or larger and usually public or monumental.
Yes, modern collectible or gaming figurines are often made of high‑quality plastic (e.g., vinyl, resin).
It is neutral; 'statuette' is slightly more formal, while 'ornament' or 'knick‑knack' are more casual.
Typically /ˈfɪɡ.jə.riːn/ with primary stress on the first syllable and a clear /j/ sound before the schwa.