First Known Use: 1630
Dictionary
1decoy
noun de·coy \ˈdē-ˌkȯi, di-ˈ\
: a wooden or plastic bird (such as a duck) that is used by hunters to attract live birds
: a person or thing that attracts people's attention so they will not notice someone or something else
Full Definition of DECOY
1
: a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture
2
: someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap; especially : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shot
3
: someone or something used to draw attention away from another
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Origin of DECOY
probably from Dutch de kooi, literally, the cage
Rhymes with DECOY
ahoy, alloy, annoy, bad boy, ball boy, batboy, B-boy, beachboy, bellboy, bell buoy, best boy, big boy, bok choy, borzoi, boy toy, busboy, callboy, carboy, charpoy, choirboy, convoy, cowboy, deploy, destroy, doughboy, employ, enjoy, envoy, flyboy, footboy, Hanoi, hautbois, highboy, homeboy, houseboy, killjoy, Khoikhoi, life buoy, linkboy, lowboy, McCoy, newsboy, old boy, page boy, playboy, plowboy, po'boy, postboy, potboy, Quemoy, Rob Roy, Saint Croix, Savoy, schoolboy, sepoy, stock boy, tallboy, tatsoi, teapoy, Tolstoy, tomboy, travois, viceroy
2decoy
verb de·coy \di-ˈkȯi, ˈdē-ˌ\
Definition of DECOY
transitive verb
: to lure by or as if by a decoy : entice
First Known Use of DECOY
1648
Related to DECOY
Synonym Discussion of DECOY
lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course. lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving <lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes>. entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means <advertising designed to entice new customers>. inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering <fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni>. decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice <attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush>. tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment <tempted by the offer of money>. seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises <seduced by assurances of assistance>.
DECOY Defined for Kids
1decoy
noun de·coy \di-ˈkȯi, ˈdē-ˌkȯi\
Definition of DECOY for Kids
: a person or thing (as an artificial bird) used to lead or lure into a trap or snare
2decoy
verb
de·coyedde·coy·ing
Definition of DECOY for Kids
: to lure by or as if by a decoy <Hunters decoyed the ducks to the pond.>
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