cardboard cut-out
Life-size promotional figure
A cardboard cut-out is a flat figure, usually life-sized, made from stiff paperboard and shaped to represent a person, character, or object.
These are common promotional items in stores and theaters, often depicting celebrities or fictional characters.
Figuratively, calling someone a cardboard cut-out suggests they lack depth or personality—they're two-dimensional in character, not just form.
The movie's villain was little more than a cardboard cut-out.
Having only two axes
- flatLacking vertical variation
- shallowWithout much depth
- one-dimensionalWithout depth or complexity
- stereotypedReduced to oversimplified traits
formulaic · predictable · unoriginal · hackneyed · wooden · lifeless · simplistic · caricature
Matching actual dimensions
- displayPresentation for viewing
- promotionalRelated to marketing efforts
- freestandingNot attached to anything
- point-of-saleWhere transactions occur
retail · lobby · theater · convention · photo-op · corrugated · printed · flat
Amateur home projects
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
- scissorsPivoted twin-blade cutter
- tracingCopying by following lines
outline · silhouette · stencil · papercraft · project · kid-friendly · school · corrugated
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
- stageRaised performance platform
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
- backdropRear stage scenery
- setpieceElaborately staged scene
film · production · low-budget · facade · flat · silhouette · diorama · photoshoot
Matching actual dimensions
- fanAdmirer or air mover
- photo-opArranged publicity snapshot
- selfiePhoto of oneself
- actorOne who portrays characters
singer · athlete · politician · meet-and-greet · souvenir · collector · memorabilia · publicity
two-dimensional
Having only two axes
- flatLacking vertical variation
- shallowWithout much depth
- one-dimensionalWithout depth or complexity
stereotyped · formulaic · predictable · unoriginal · hackneyed · wooden · lifeless · simplistic · caricature · trope
lifesize
Matching actual dimensions
- displayPresentation for viewing
- promotionalRelated to marketing efforts
- freestandingNot attached to anything
point-of-sale · retail · lobby · theater · convention · photo-op · corrugated · printed · flat · portable
DIY
Amateur home projects
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
- scissorsPivoted twin-blade cutter
tracing · outline · silhouette · stencil · papercraft · project · kid-friendly · school · corrugated · recycled
theatrical
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
setpiece · film · production · low-budget · facade · flat · silhouette · diorama · photoshoot · background
lifesize
Matching actual dimensions
actor · singer · athlete · politician · meet-and-greet · souvenir · collector · memorabilia · publicity · promotional
reindeer
Arctic deer species
- snowmanHuman figure from precipitation
- nutcrackerTool for cracking shells
- witchPractitioner of dark arts
pumpkin · ghost · skeleton · party · birthday · decoration · seasonal · holiday · themed · children
cardboard cut-outsculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
statue · 3D model · mannequin · hologram · wax figure
cardboard cut-outdynamic character
Character who transforms internally
card, board, cards, boards, cardboard, cutout, cutouts, carding, carded