noun
marionette
ma-ree-uh-NEHT
Marionette (noun) means a puppet, usually wooden, moved by strings pulled from above. Example: “The puppeteer made the marionette dance across the tiny stage.”
noun
1
A puppet, usually wooden, moved by strings pulled from above.
"The puppeteer made the marionette dance across the tiny stage."
"Each marionette had up to a dozen strings controlling its limbs."
verb
1
To control someone as though pulling their strings, treating them like a puppet.
"He accused his manager of trying to marionette every decision the team made."
How to use marionette
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA string-operated puppet, or (figuratively) someone being controlled like one.
Common pairings
a wooden marionette
marionette strings
a marionette show
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Word forms
- Plural
- marionettes
- Third person singular
- marionettes
- Past tense
- marionetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The puppeteer made the _____ dance across the tiny stage.
Etymology
From French marionnette, originally a small figure of the Virgin Mary used in religious plays before the word came to mean any string puppet.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for marionette
See all rhymes for marionette →Frequently asked questions
What does “marionette” mean?
The word “marionette” means a puppet, usually wooden, moved by strings pulled from above. In plain terms, a string-operated puppet, or (figuratively) someone being controlled like one.
How do you pronounce “marionette”?
“Marionette” is pronounced ma-ree-uh-NEHT (/ˌmæɹi.əˈnɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “marionette” in a sentence?
Here is “marionette” used in a sentence: “The puppeteer made the marionette dance across the tiny stage.”
What part of speech is “marionette”?
Depending on how it is used, “marionette” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “marionette” come from?
The word “marionette” comes from French. From French marionnette, originally a small figure of the Virgin Mary used in religious plays before the word came to mean any string puppet.
How many meanings does “marionette” have?
“Marionette” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a puppet, usually wooden, moved by strings pulled from above.
