Decoy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdē-ˌkȯi/ (noun) /di-ˈkȯi/ (verb) de·coy

Meaning & Definition of Decoy

Decoy (noun)

  1. a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture
  2. someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap; especially, hunting, an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shot
  3. someone or something used to draw attention away from another

Decoy (verb)

  1. to lure by or as if by a decoy, entice

Decoy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap

    "we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive"

    similar: bait, lure
    related: ambush, net, trap, hook, snare, troll, plug, scent, spinner, stool pigeon, appeal, attraction, call, draw, incentive, pull, enticement, seducement, seduction, temptation, entanglement, entrapment
    near: repellent

Decoy (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage

    "tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money"

    similar: allure, bait, beguile, betray, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, solicit, tempt
    related: draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow, catch, enmesh, ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wile
    near: alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn, drive (away or off), repulse, turn away

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Decoy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Decoy:

bait, lure, allure, beguile, betray, entice, lead on, seduce, solicit, tempt

Related Words for Decoy

ambush, net, trap, hook, snare, troll, plug, scent, spinner, stool pigeon, appeal, attraction, call, draw, incentive, pull, enticement, seducement, seduction, temptation, entanglement, entrapment, draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow, catch, enmesh, ensnare

Near Antonyms of Decoy

repellent, alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn, drive (away or off), repulse, turn away

Word Forms of Decoy

Inflections: decoyed, decoying, decoys

Origin & Etymology of Decoy

probably from Dutch de kooi, literally, the cage

First known use: 1630

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Decoy

Frequently Asked Questions about Decoy

What does "Decoy" mean?

"Decoy" means a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Decoy"?

Other words for "Decoy" include bait, lure, allure, beguile, betray, entice, lead on and seduce. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Decoy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Decoy"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Decoy". Common alternatives include bait, lure, allure, beguile, betray, entice, lead on, seduce, solicit and tempt.

How do you use "Decoy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Decoy" in a sentence: "we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive"; "tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money".

Is "Decoy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Decoy" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Decoy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Decoy" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Decoy"?

"Decoy" is pronounced /ˈdē-ˌkȯi/ as a noun and /di-ˈkȯi/ as a verb and divided into syllables as de·coy.

What is the origin of the word "Decoy"?

"Decoy" comes from probably from Dutch de kooi, literally, the cage. First known use: 1630.