Main character definition: what "Main character" means and examples

February 12, 2026

Someone who carries themselves with high confidence or treats their life like a movie.

Having "main character energy" refers to a person who lives intentionally and views themselves as the protagonist of their own story rather than a background observer. While it can occasionally be used to describe someone being a bit self-centered, it is usually a positive term for romanticising one's life. It encourages people to dress up, take risks, and find beauty in the mundane. For your child, it is about agency and the idea that they are the most important person in their own narrative. It is a reaction against feeling like just another face in the crowd.  

Examples:

  1. "She walked into the library with total main character energy, wearing that long coat and headphones."  
  2. "I am going to the park today just to sit and read; I really need a main character moment."  
  3. "Stop acting like a side character in your own life; you need to start making the decisions."

We've compiled this dictionary of common teen slang to help parents communicate with their kids. SafetyMode is the world's most advanced parental safety app for phones, making any Android phone safe for kids. You can find out more and download the app just here.

Related words

A term for a Non-Playable Character, used to describe someone who lacks original thought or merely follows the crowd.

NPC definition: what "NPC" means and examples

A nickname for an older male figure, often used to tease someone who is slightly out of touch.

Unc definition: what "Unc" means and examples

Someone who shows excessive attention or submission to a romantic interest who may not return the feeling.

Simp definition: what "Simp" means and examples

A term for an attractive person who looks particularly good or "tasty."

Snack definition: what "Snack" means and examples

A pejorative term for an entitled or demanding woman who uses her privilege to get her way.

Karen definition: what "Karen" means and examples

A descriptive term for someone with an attractive, curvy, or muscular physique.

Thicc definition: what "Thicc" means and examples

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