Definition

Noun: 1. A child afflicted by a disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters for charitable fundraising: The original, literal meaning refers to a specific child whose image represents a charitable cause. 2. A person or thing that serves as a representative symbol or outstanding example of a particular quality, cause, or characteristic: A figurative and more common modern usage. It denotes someone or something that perfectly embodies, represents, or publicizes an idea, movement, or trend, often in a positive but sometimes in a negative context.

Usage Examples

• Literal Meaning:

  • The foundation selected a young boy as the poster child for its campaign to fight childhood cancer.
  • Her face became famous as the poster child for the international hunger relief effort.

• Figurative Meaning:

  • The successful tech startup became the poster child for innovation in the industry.
  • After the scandal, the politician was seen as the poster child for government corruption.
  • This model is the poster child for energy-efficient appliances.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in the construction "the poster child for [something]."
• It can imply that the subject is being used symbolically, sometimes without their full consent or in a reductive way, to represent a larger group or issue.
• While originally positive (for charity), the figurative use can be either positive (an ideal example) or negative (a prime example of a problem).

Variants and Related Words

• Poster boy (n.): A male who serves as a representative symbol. (e.g., )
• Poster girl (n.): A female who serves as a representative symbol. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Archetype: A very typical example.
• Embodiment: A tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.
• Epitome: A perfect example of a particular quality.
• Figurehead: A nominal leader or representative.
• Symbol: A mark or character used as a conventional representation.

Related Idioms & Phrases

• Face of the campaign: The person most publicly associated with a promotional effort.
  • The celebrity became the face of the campaign to promote literacy.
• Standard-bearer: A leading figure in a cause or movement.
  • The company is a standard-bearer for ethical manufacturing practices.

Noun

1. a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters to raise money for charitable purposes
   • she was the poster child for muscular dystrophy