Leslie Knope

noun

An idealist woman who is highly active, cooperative and cheery.

Meanings

nounLeslie Knope (plural Leslie Knopes)

plural Leslie Knopes

  1. An idealist woman who is highly active, cooperative and cheery.

    Travis aspires to be the Leslie Knope of his community, finding the grace of working together to accomplish meaningful things.

    2022, Arthur Stewart, Stephanie Kendell Kendell, editor, Are You Still Watching?: Using Pop Culture to Tune In, Find God, and Get Renewed for Another Season, Chalice Press, page 127
    2 more examples

    Think of me as the Leslie Knope of No New Things Town (great food, attractions, and nightlife, but not a lot of shopping malls here).

    2025, Ashlee Piper, No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity, Celadon Books

    As the fangirls say, be the Leslie Knope of whatever you do, and live a life full of heart and epic mistakes and inspiring ladies. Jump at opportunities whenever they arise, and don't stop to doubt yourself.

    2016, Kathleen Smith, The Fangirl Life: A Guide to All the Feels and Learning How to Deal, Penguin Publishing Group, page 185

Origin

From the character Leslie Knope of the television show Parks and Rec.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Leslie Knope. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Leslie%20Knope

MLA

“Leslie Knope.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Leslie%20Knope. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Leslie Knope,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Leslie%20Knope.

Source: Leslie Knope on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.