matinee idol

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even better, he has used his beauty not to become a matinee idol but to unsettle and surprise us, portraying characters whose handsomeness is very much the point but not the whole story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

There was a stiffness to Mr. Belafonte’s early, untrained movie performances, and he admitted he was self-conscious in matinee idol roles.

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2023

There’s former matinee idol Brendan Fraser, whose turn as a morbidly obese teacher in “The Whale” has earned him a lead actor nomination.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2023

In 1945 she eloped with the matinee idol Richard Cromwell, who was 16 years her senior but the relationship failed after less than a year after he revealed he was gay.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2022

Many of them called greetings to Cliff Lowell, who responded with his bored smile, like a matinee idol who feels he needs a vacation.

From The Thunder Bird by Bower, B. M.