1
chiefly Australia
: barbecue sense 2
2
chiefly Australia
: barbecue sense 3
—used for a plastic doll in the figure of a stereotypically attractive young woman
variants
or Barbie doll
plural Barbies or Barbie dolls
usually disparaging
: a conventionally attractive young woman typically perceived as lacking substance, character, or intelligence
I tell her she's beautiful as she is, but when she peers at television, movies, or popular magazines where generic, blue-eyed, blonde Barbie dolls with orthodontically perfect teeth, Botox, and breast implants prance, pose, and promenade, she says with a sense of fatality and resignation, "I can't look like that."—
Charles Johnson
Charles JohnsonIt was the 26-year-old's first major role, and she played it with subzero coldness. She couldn't care less how many men Al Pacino's Tony Montana would kill to curry her favor. She's aloof and unattainable, a coke-fed Barbie, the ultimate accessory.—Hilary Elkins et al.
Hilary Elkins et al.Jacquelin Smith, recalling her days as one of Charlie's Angels: "Perhaps they were Barbie dolls with very little depth to them. But I'll say one thing for the show: Trying to add some life to lines like 'Hold it—freeze' certainly does wonders for your acting."—People
PeopleExamples of barbie in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The most recent career dolls include STEM careers, Congresswomen and athletes, like American fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Personally, from a fashion standpoint, the Karl Lagerfeld barbie doll is a standout.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Throw another mammoth on the barbie?
—Mike Corder, oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2023
Perfect with a steak on the barbie.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for barbie 
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Noun
Their newest addition went dressed as a shrimp (on the barbie, presumably).
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The most recent career dolls include STEM careers, Congresswomen and athletes, like American fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Personally, from a fashion standpoint, the Karl Lagerfeld barbie doll is a standout.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Throw another mammoth on the barbie?
—Mike Corder, oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2023
Perfect with a steak on the barbie.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for barbie
Dictionary Entries Near barbie
Cite this Entry
“Barbie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbie. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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