Definition

Noun: 1. A female poster child; a girl or woman who is a prominent or idealized representative of a cause, campaign, or ideal: The term refers to a female individual who is used as a symbol or public face to represent and promote a particular idea, movement, or product. She embodies the qualities or goals of that cause. 2. A girl or woman who perfectly exemplifies a particular characteristic or stereotype: This usage can be literal or figurative, describing someone who is seen as the ultimate example of a specific type of person, trait, or lifestyle.

Usage Examples

• As a representative symbol:
  • She became the poster girl for the environmental movement after her passionate speech went viral.
  • The athlete was hailed as the poster girl for determination and resilience.
• As a perfect example:
  • With her perfect grades and extensive volunteering, she was the poster girl for the overachieving student.
  • He called her the poster girl for bad luck after her third accident this month.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used figuratively and is not limited to literal posters or advertising campaigns.
• It can sometimes carry a slightly critical or ironic tone, implying the person is a stereotypical or almost clichéd example.
  • She's the poster girl for the "work hard, play hard" lifestyle.

Variants and Related Words

• Poster boy (noun): The male equivalent of a poster girl.
• Poster child (noun): A gender-neutral term with the same meaning; can refer to a boy, girl, or child.
• Figurehead (noun): A leader in name only, or a person who represents a group but may not have real power. (More specific to leadership roles).
• Archetype (noun): A very typical example of a certain person or thing; the original model. (More abstract and general).

Synonyms

• Embodiment
• Personification
• Symbol
• Icon (in a representative sense)
• Exemplar

Related Phrases

• The face of [something]: A common phrase with a very similar meaning.
  • She is the face of the new marketing campaign.
• To be the epitome of [something]: To be a perfect example of a quality or type.
  • She is the epitome of elegance.

Noun

1. a female poster child