Skip to main content
poster boy

poster boy

21 5.5
A man people see as a perfect example of something
  • noun
  • /ˈpoʊstər bɔɪ/
translation icon : ejemplo
  • Thus, BP has become the poster boy for refinery and pipeline disasters in recent years.

And Mike was the number one UK poster boy for for USC.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I was the poster boy for the March of Dimes.

  • Bill Clinton was the poster boy for raw fatigue at the end of his campaign.

    Blog text (26)
  • You look like the poster boy for birth control.

  • Maybe he'll give you a job as poster boy for that part of the campaign.

    Blog text (4)
  • Say hello to the department's new poster boy.

  • The shah of Iran had become the poster boy for the U.S. nuclear industry.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The poster boy for designated drivers will have a Coke.

  • Not to mention that Aaron Rodgers is the third biggest poster boy in the NFL.

    Blog text (5)
  • That tailored uniform, a wad of bills in your pocket... ...you look like the poster boy for petty crime.

  • He has become the poster boy for environmental conservation, inspiring many to join the cause.

Synonyms

poster child
vsposter boy
24 4.8

A person who is a clear example of a cause or movement

is specific to a male example rather than any person or thing
standard-bearer
vsposter boy
11 7.4

A leading person who represents a movement's ideas and goals

is viewed more as a symbol or example rather than a directing leader
poster girl
vsposter boy
4 4.6

A woman who represents a quality, cause, or group

is the male-specific version rather than a female example
bannerman
vsposter boy
1 8.3

A person who publicly supports and leads a movement

is more about being an admired example than actively promoting a cause

How Representative

poster boy
21 5.5
exemplar
16 7.2
example
515 1.0

Surface Forms

poster boy singular
poster boys plural

Morphology

poster + boy

The meaning 'a prominent example or symbol' can be inferred from 'poster' (an image used to represent or promote something) combined with 'boy' (a person) — i.e., someone who could appear on a poster as the exemplar. This is a metaphorical/representational extension rather than a literal composition, so it is partially deducible but requires inferencing or exposure, making it semi-transparent.

Etymology

Poster boy comes from the simple image of a young man's picture put on a poster to sell an idea, product, or campaign. Because the poster shows him and the boy is the face people see, he becomes the 'example' or 'symbol' of that cause or quality.