decoy
5 synonyms for decoy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person, object, or fake animal used to lure someone or something into a trap or into danger.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use decoy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
duck decoy
used as a decoy
decoy target
Etymology
From Dutch de kooi, literally "the cage," possibly linked to the word "coy."
Full origin of decoy →Frequently asked questions
What does “decoy” mean?
The word “decoy” means a person, object, or fake animal used to lure someone or something into a trap or into danger. In plain terms, a fake lure or a trick used to draw attention or danger away from the real target.
How do you pronounce “decoy”?
“Decoy” is pronounced DEE-koy (/ˈdiːkɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “decoy” in a sentence?
Here is “decoy” used in a sentence: “The duck decoys floated realistically on the pond to attract real birds.”
What is another word for “decoy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “decoy” include body double and red herring.
What part of speech is “decoy”?
Depending on how it is used, “decoy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “decoy” come from?
The word “decoy” comes from Dutch. From Dutch de kooi, literally "the cage," possibly linked to the word "coy.".
How many meanings does “decoy” have?
“Decoy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, object, or fake animal used to lure someone or something into a trap or into danger.
