noun
Uncommon
bait
bayt
Bait (noun) means Food or a lure used to attract fish or other animals so they can be caught. Example: “He threaded a worm onto the hook as bait.”
noun
1
Food or a lure used to attract fish or other animals so they can be caught.
"He threaded a worm onto the hook as bait."
2
Anything used to tempt or lure someone into doing something.
"The free trial was just bait to get people to sign up for the subscription."
verb
1
To deliberately provoke or taunt someone.
"He kept baiting his brother until a fight broke out."
How to use bait
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething used to lure a fish, an animal, or a person into a trap — or, as a verb, to deliberately provoke someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "bate," meaning to lessen or hold back (as in "bated breath").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fishing bait
take the bait
bait someone into
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Word forms
- Plural
- baits
- Third person singular
- baits
- Past tense
- baited
- Comparative
- baiter
- Superlative
- baitest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He threaded a worm onto the hook as _____.
Etymology
From Old Norse beita ("food, bait"), related to the verb bite.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bait
See all rhymes for bait →Frequently asked questions
What does “bait” mean?
The word “bait” means food or a lure used to attract fish or other animals so they can be caught. In plain terms, something used to lure a fish, an animal, or a person into a trap — or, as a verb, to deliberately provoke someone.
How do you pronounce “bait”?
“Bait” is pronounced bayt (/beɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bait” in a sentence?
Here is “bait” used in a sentence: “He threaded a worm onto the hook as bait.”
What part of speech is “bait”?
Depending on how it is used, “bait” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bait” come from?
The word “bait” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse beita ("food, bait"), related to the verb bite.
Is “bait” a common word?
“Bait” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bait” have?
“Bait” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: food or a lure used to attract fish or other animals so they can be caught.
What is the difference between bait and lure as fishing terms?
Bait usually refers to food, such as worms or small fish, used to attract fish or other animals, while a lure is typically an artificial object designed to imitate prey and attract fish through movement or appearance rather than scent or taste.
What does it mean to use something as bait figuratively?
Figuratively, bait refers to anything used to tempt or lure someone into doing something, such as a discount offered as bait to attract customers, or a tempting offer used to draw someone into a trap.
What does it mean to bait someone?
To bait someone means to deliberately provoke or taunt them, often to get a reaction, rather than to physically attract them with food or a lure.
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