noun
decoy
DEE-koy
Decoy (noun) means a person, object, or fake animal used to lure someone or something into a trap or into danger. Example: “The duck decoys floated realistically on the pond to attract real birds.”
noun
1
A person, object, or fake animal used to lure someone or something into a trap or into danger.
"The duck decoys floated realistically on the pond to attract real birds."
"Police used an unmarked car as a decoy to catch the speeding driver."
verb
1
To lure someone into danger or a trap through trickery.
"The soldiers decoyed the enemy patrol away from the main camp."
How to use decoy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fake lure or a trick used to draw attention or danger away from the real target.
Common pairings
duck decoy
used as a decoy
decoy target
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like decoy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- decoys
- Third person singular
- decoys
- Past tense
- decoyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The duck _____ floated realistically on the pond to attract real birds.
Etymology
From Dutch de kooi, literally "the cage," possibly linked to the word "coy."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for decoy
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include decoy:
