uncanny valley

USAGE SUMMARY

'uncanny valley' is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe when something looks almost human or lifelike, but not quite, and it evokes a feeling of unease or discomfort. For example, "The robots in the film had an unsettlingly realistic look, creating an effect that fell into the uncanny valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the uncanny valley.

The Economist

An uncanny valley indeed.

The Guardian

I'm very aware of the uncanny valley.

The New Yorker

UNCANNY VALLEY And Other Adventures in the Narrative.

The New York Times - Books

May we one day escape this uncanny valley.

Stanford University

You are straight-up in Uncanny Valley territory now.

The New Yorker

Our slow creep toward the uncanny valley has already begun.

The New York Times - Books

"She calls it 'the uncanny valley of narrative'.

The Guardian - Tech

But are we getting closer to overcoming the uncanny valley?

The Guardian - Tech

"Hi, welcome to the Uncanny Valley of Pancakes".

The New Yorker

In "Tintin," Steven Spielberg flies nowhere near "uncanny valley".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about AI or animation, remember that characters or designs can often be more appealing if they intentionally avoid striving for perfect human likeness, thus sidestepping the negative emotional response.

Common error

Don't assume that any attempt at human-like representation will automatically fall into the "uncanny valley". The effect is specific to near-human likeness that has noticeable flaws; stylized or clearly non-human representations don't trigger the same response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncanny valley" functions as a noun, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific phenomenon related to human perception of realistic representations. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in discussions about robotics, animation, and design.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncanny valley" is a common term, primarily used in the context of technology, design, and psychology. It describes the unsettling feeling evoked by entities that closely resemble humans but are not entirely convincing. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use in news media, scientific research, and academic discussions. The analysis indicates that the term is grammatically correct and frequently used to explain a particular perceptual phenomenon. While the register is primarily neutral, the concept has gained traction across diverse fields, making it a versatile descriptor for discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, robotics, and the pursuit of realism in creative endeavors. In sum, according to Ludwig, the term "uncanny valley" is a well-established and readily applicable phrase in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valley of unease

Replaces "uncanny" with a direct synonym to highlight the feeling it evokes.

zone of eeriness

Focuses on the unsettling atmosphere created by the phenomenon.

realm of the almost human

Emphasizes the nearly human quality that causes the effect.

artificiality discomfort

Highlights the negative reaction to artificial imitations of life.

the creepiness threshold

Uses an alternative term to describe when something becomes disturbing.

human-like aversion

Focuses on the dislike or avoidance of things that mimic humans.

the robotic paradox

Highlights the contradictory feelings towards human-like robots.

uncanny resemblance

Emphasizes the characteristic of resemblance that causes the effect.

valley of the simulacrum

Replaces "uncanny" with a similar idea of simulated likeness.

disquieting likeness

Focuses on the disturbing quality of the similarity.

FAQs

How can I describe the feeling caused by something that is almost human but not quite?

The term "uncanny valley" describes this feeling of unease or revulsion evoked by entities that closely resemble humans but are not convincingly realistic. This concept is relevant in fields like robotics, animation, and virtual reality.

What fields commonly use the concept of the "uncanny valley"?

The "uncanny valley" is a key concept in fields such as robotics, computer animation, and virtual reality. These industries grapple with the challenge of creating realistic human-like representations without triggering the negative emotional response associated with this phenomenon.

What makes something fall into the "uncanny valley"?

An entity falls into the "uncanny valley" when its appearance and behavior closely mimic those of a human being, yet it contains subtle flaws or imperfections that make it appear unsettling or unnatural. It is precisely this almost-human quality that triggers a sense of unease.

What are some strategies for avoiding the "uncanny valley" in design?

To avoid the "uncanny valley", designers can either create stylized representations that don't aim for perfect realism, or they can invest in achieving a very high level of realism that is indistinguishable from a real human. Intentional stylization or hyper-realism can bypass the negative emotional response.