effigy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "effigy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning a sculpture or model of a person, especially one that is made of straw or is a representation of a disliked person typically burned or hanged in protest. Example sentence: The protestors made an effigy of the mayor to hang outside the city hall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In London she was given a state funeral, while in Yorkshire her effigy was burned on a bonfire.

The Guardian

Maggie demands that her sister-in-law, Justine, keeps a promise she made 30 years ago to burn an effigy of their old arch-enemy.

The Guardian

Remember "Up Yours Delors" in 1990 and the call by the Sun two years later for readers to burn Delors in effigy on Guy Fawkes night bonfires.

The Guardian

An effigy of him was strung up outside a pub in London because, as the landlord put it: "He needs teaching a lesson".

The Guardian - Sport

At the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, I saw everything from homemade donkey earrings (the donkey is the Democrats' symbol) to a papier-mâché effigy of George W. Bush.

The Economist

But for Jean Charest, the unpopular Liberal premier of Quebec (pictured in effigy above), an under-the-radar campaign represents his best chance of winning a fourth term.

The Economist

Yet the Mormon church did not organise riots or burn the authors in effigy.

The Economist

A DUCK'S bill, rodent legs, a crustacean pincer, rusting scrap metal, strings of small coloured beads, bird feathers, threads of plant seeds, a tiny terracotta pot, dangling cowrie shells, all bound tightly together on a plump female effigy carved in wood.

The Economist

Firms that ban their employees from using Facebook or Twitter may suffer the same fate as the big wooden effigy at the Burning Man festival, which, as you may have guessed, goes up in flames.

The Economist

ONE night during the long, hot Washington summer of 1940, as Americans debated how to handle the war in Europe, Senator Claude Pepper of Florida took a call from the police, asking what to do with his effigy.

The Economist

Few protesters are burning senators in effigy, as they were a century ago, and a voluntary armistice between the two parties seems an even more remote prospect than that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "effigy" when referring to a representation, often crude, used to express dislike or disrespect for someone or something. It's frequently associated with public protests or symbolic acts.

Common error

Avoid confusing "effigy", a representation of someone, with "efficacy", which refers to the ability to produce a desired result or effect. The words have very different meanings and contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "effigy" functions primarily as a noun. It refers to a representation or likeness of a person, often used symbolically. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is usable and accurate in written English, frequently found in contexts involving protests or representations of disliked figures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "effigy" is a noun denoting a representation, usually crude, of a person or thing, often used in protests or symbolic acts. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources. While the word is typically neutral, its use often implies disapproval or protest. Remember to distinguish "effigy" from "efficacy", and to use it appropriately when describing symbolic representations, particularly negative ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likeness

Focuses on the resemblance to the original.

representation

Emphasizes the act of standing in for something or someone.

image

A broad term referring to a visual depiction.

model

Implies a three-dimensional representation.

dummy

Suggests a crude or simplified representation.

figure

Refers to the shape or form of something.

statue

Highlights a sculpted or cast representation.

simulacrum

Indicates a copy that may not accurately reflect the original.

caricature

Emphasizes exaggerated or distorted features.

puppet

A manipulable figure, often representing someone else.

FAQs

How is the word "effigy" typically used?

The word "effigy" is typically used to describe a representation or likeness of a person or thing, often used in protest or symbolic acts. For example, burning an effigy is a way to show strong disapproval.

What's the difference between "effigy" and "statue"?

While both "effigy" and "statue" are representations of figures, an "effigy" usually suggests a crude or symbolic representation, often associated with protest or disrespect. A statue, in contrast, is generally a more formal and respectful representation.

What can I say instead of "burning an effigy"?

You could say "burning a "likeness"", "burning a "representation"", or "burning a "dummy"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "effigy" to describe a positive representation?

While "effigy" can technically refer to any representation, it is most commonly used to describe a negative or disrespectful representation, often used in protest or symbolic acts of disapproval. Using it for positive representations is less common.