ploy
ploy
Ploy (noun) means a cunning tactic or trick used to gain an advantage. Example: “Offering the free trial was just a ploy to collect email addresses.”
noun
1
A cunning tactic or trick used to gain an advantage.
"Offering the free trial was just a ploy to collect email addresses."
"His compliment was a ploy to get out of trouble."
How to use ploy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clever, often sneaky, move designed to get what you want.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a clever ploy
a ploy to do something
see through a ploy
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Word forms
- Plural
- ploys
- Third person singular
- ploys
- Past tense
- ployed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Offering the free trial was just a _____ to collect email addresses.
Etymology
Possibly a shortened form of "employ" or "deploy", though its exact origin is debated.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ploy
See all rhymes for ploy →Frequently asked questions
What does “ploy” mean?
The word “ploy” means a cunning tactic or trick used to gain an advantage. In plain terms, a clever, often sneaky, move designed to get what you want.
How do you pronounce “ploy”?
“Ploy” is pronounced ploy (/plɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ploy” in a sentence?
Here is “ploy” used in a sentence: “Offering the free trial was just a ploy to collect email addresses.”
What part of speech is “ploy”?
“Ploy” is a noun.
Is “ploy” a common word?
“Ploy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
