# Gaston

/ˈɡæstən/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gaston
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a person who is very proud of their looks and strength, but is often rude or not very smart. It comes from a famous character who thinks he is better than everyone else.

For teachers: A personification of hyper-masculine vanity, arrogance, and intellectual shallowness. Derived from the antagonist in 'Beauty and the Beast', it functions as an eponym for a man who relies on physical prowess and social dominance while lacking empathy.

## Examples

- He is such a Gaston, always looking at his muscles in the mirror.
- The gym was full of Gastons more interested in their social media profiles than their actual workouts.
- The modern dating landscape is occasionally populated by Gastons whose digital personas emphasize traditional dominance and aesthetic perfection at the expense of genuine emotional intelligence.

## Usage notes

- Used as a common noun to describe a personality type; often capitalized due to its origins as a proper name.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.