noun
Uncommon
dummy
DUH-mee
Dummy (noun) means a model or replica of a person or object, used as a stand-in. Example: “The crash test dummy absorbed the full force of the impact.”
noun
1
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."
"The shop window held a dummy wearing a bright red coat."
"The ventriloquist's dummy sat on his knee and seemed to talk."
2
(informal) A stupid person, or a mild term of address.
"Watch where you're going, dummy!"
"Don't be a dummy; just ask someone for help next time."
"I felt like a dummy when I locked myself out of the flat."
3
(British) A pacifier; a rubber or plastic nipple given to a baby to suck on.
"The baby wouldn't settle without her dummy."
"He gave the crying baby a dummy and she soon fell asleep."
"We lost the dummy on the bus, so the whole evening was noisy."
4
A fake or non-functional version of something, used for practice, testing, or deception.
"The soldiers trained with dummy grenades before using live ones."
"The test used dummy data instead of real customer records."
"The box on the shelf was a dummy, with nothing inside it."
verb
1
(sports) To fake a pass, kick, or move to deceive an opponent.
"The winger dummied the defender and cut inside."
"He dummied the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the empty net."
"She dummied a pass to the left, then sprinted down the right."
How to use dummy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending 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.
UK vs US
British English uses "dummy" for what American English calls a "pacifier."
Common pairings
crash test dummy
dummy run
dummy pass
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Word forms
- Plural
- dummies
- Third person singular
- dummies
- Past tense
- dummied
- Comparative
- more dummy
- Superlative
- most dummy
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crash test _____ absorbed the full force of the impact.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dummy
See all rhymes for 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.
