Smurfette principle

noun

The practice in fiction, such as in film and television series, of including only one woman in an otherwise male ensemble.

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Meanings

nounthe Smurfette principle
  1. The practice in fiction, such as in film and television series, of including only one woman in an otherwise male ensemble.

Origin

Named after the character Smurfette, the only major female character in The Smurfs. Coined by Katha Pollitt in 1991.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan principi de la barrufeta
  • principi de la barrufetapractice
French syndrome de la Schtroumpfette
  • syndrome de la Schtroumpfettepractice
German Schlumpfine-Prinzip
  • Schlumpfine-Prinzippractice
Persian اصل اسمورفت
  • اصل اسمورفتpractice
Portuguese princípio da Smurfette
  • princípio da Smurfettepractice
Russian принцип Смурфетты
  • принцип Смурфетты (princip Smurfetty)practice
Spanish principio de la Pitufina
  • principio de la Pitufinapractice
Ukrainian принцип Смурфетти
  • принцип Смурфетти (pryncyp Smurfetty)practice
Cite this entry
APA

Smurfette principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Smurfette%20principle

MLA

“Smurfette principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Smurfette%20principle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Smurfette principle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Smurfette%20principle.

Source: Smurfette principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.