Mary Sue
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A fictional character, usually female, whose implausible talents and likeability weaken the story.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Bella may be a Mary Sue, but if we don't identify with her, and even if we do, there's no other interpretive place for us in the universe.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “Mary Sue” mean?
A fictional character, usually female, whose implausible talents and likeability weaken the story.
Is “Mary Sue” formal or informal?
Mary Sue is generally derogatory, slang.