noun

puppeteer

puh-pih-TEER

Puppeteer (noun) means a person who operates puppets, especially as a performer. Example: “The puppeteer worked the marionette so smoothly it seemed alive.”

noun

A person who operates puppets, especially as a performer.

"The puppeteer worked the marionette so smoothly it seemed alive."

Someone who secretly controls people or events for their own ends.

"The whistleblower revealed the puppeteer behind the shell companies."

verb

To control or manipulate someone or something from behind the scenes.

"He puppeteered the negotiations without ever appearing in public."

How to use puppeteer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who works puppets, or figuratively someone who secretly pulls the strings.

Common pairings

skilled puppeteer shadow puppeteer

Word forms

puppeteered past tense, puppeteers plural, puppeteers singular

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The _____ worked the marionette so smoothly it seemed alive.

Etymology

From puppet plus the agent suffix -eer, as in "engineer" or "auctioneer."

Rhymes for puppeteer

beer deer peer leer veer seer heer queer steer sneer cheer sheer

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Frequently asked questions

What does “puppeteer” mean?

The word “puppeteer” means a person who operates puppets, especially as a performer. In plain terms, someone who works puppets, or figuratively someone who secretly pulls the strings.

How do you pronounce “puppeteer”?

“Puppeteer” is pronounced puh-pih-TEER (/ˌpʌpəˈtɪ(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “puppeteer” in a sentence?

Here is “puppeteer” used in a sentence: “The puppeteer worked the marionette so smoothly it seemed alive.”

What part of speech is “puppeteer”?

Depending on how it is used, “puppeteer” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “puppeteer” have?

“Puppeteer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who operates puppets, especially as a performer.