dummy

10 synonyms and 1 antonym for dummy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A model or replica of a person or object, used as a stand-in.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

fake

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

dope boob blank

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

decoy mock-up stand-in dumbbell booby pinhead

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A model or replica of a person or object, used as a stand-in.

“The crash test dummy absorbed the full force of the impact.”

decoy mock-up stand-in fake dumbbell dope booby boob blank pinhead

2. noun

A fake or non-functional version of something, used for practice, testing, or deception.

“The soldiers trained with dummy grenades before using live ones.”

Opposites

natural

How to use dummy

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crash test dummy dummy run dummy pass

Etymology

From "dumb" (originally meaning "silent, unable to speak") plus the suffix "-y" — the "silent" sense extended to anything nonfunctional or lifeless, like a mock-up or a mute stand-in.

Full origin of dummy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dummy” mean?

The word “dummy” means a model or replica of a person or object, used as a stand-in. In plain terms, depending on context: a mock-up/model, a baby's pacifier (British English), a fake version of an object, or informal slang for a stupid person.

How do you pronounce “dummy”?

“Dummy” is pronounced DUH-mee (/ˈdʌmi/ in IPA).

How do you use “dummy” in a sentence?

Here is “dummy” used in a sentence: “The crash test dummy absorbed the full force of the impact.”

What part of speech is “dummy”?

Depending on how it is used, “dummy” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “dummy” a common word?

“Dummy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dummy” have?

“Dummy” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a model or replica of a person or object, used as a stand-in.

What is the difference between a dummy and a mannequin?

A dummy is a general term for a model or replica of a person or object used as a stand-in, while a mannequin specifically refers to a human-shaped model used for displaying clothing. All mannequins are a type of dummy, but not all dummies are mannequins.

What does dummy mean in British English versus American English?

In British English, a dummy commonly refers to a pacifier given to a baby, while American English typically uses 'pacifier' for that item and reserves 'dummy' mainly for a fake or stand-in object, or an informal insult meaning a stupid person.

Is calling someone a dummy considered offensive?

Calling someone a dummy is informal and can be mildly insulting, though it is often used lightly among friends as a teasing term rather than a serious insult. Context and tone determine how harsh it sounds.

What does dummy mean in sports?

In sports such as rugby or football, to dummy means to fake a pass, kick, or move in order to deceive an opponent into moving the wrong way, creating an opening for the player with the ball.

People also searched

natural fake blank dope boob booby decoy pinhead dumbbell

Nearby words

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