decoy
decoy Lexical Profile
decoy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person or thing used to mislead, distract, or lure someone into a trap or vulnerable situation.
"The undercover officer acted as a decoy to draw out the suspected smugglers."
An artificial bird or animal used by hunters or wildlife researchers to entice live animals into a specific area.
"The wildlife photographer strategically placed a wooden duck decoy on the surface of the lake to attract migrating waterfowl."
• verb
To lure or entice a person or animal away from their intended course, typically into a trap or vulnerable position.
"The retreating troops attempted to decoy the opposing forces into a narrow ravine."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 16th century: from Dutch 'de kooi' meaning 'the decoy' or 'the cage', which ultimately derives from Latin 'cavea' (cage). It originally referred to a pond with netted arms used for catching wild ducks.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.