26984 words

dummy

14 definitions • 16 examples
1
a large model of a human, especially one used to show clothes in a shop:

Examples:

the dummies in the store windows
a ventriloquist's dummy
UK a shop dummy
2
something that is not real and is used for practice or to deceive:

Examples:

The device is not a real bomb but a dummy.
3
in some sports, especially football, an act of pretending to kick or hit the ball in a particular direction, in order to deceive the other players
4
a smooth rubber or plastic object that is given to a baby to suck in order to comfort it and make it stop crying
5
a stupid or silly person:

Examples:

You dummy - you don't know the answer!
Only a dummy would ignore the safety warnings.
6
not real:

Examples:

an enormous dummy perfume bottle in the shop window
7
in games such as football or rugby, to pretend to kick or move a ball in a particular direction but instead do something completely different, in order to deceive the opposing team's players:

Examples:

Adams' cross was dummied by Novo at the front post, allowing Smith to score from close range.
8
a large model of a human:

Examples:

They use crash-test dummies in order to improve safety equipment in cars.
9
a stupid or silly person:

Examples:

Taxpayers are not dummies, and they are going to know how politicians are trying to fool them.
10
not real but having a similar appearance to something else:

Examples:

They set up a dummy corporation to try to hide their identities.
11
a large model of a person, especially one used to show clothes in a store:

Examples:

If you want costumes or makeup to look really good, you can put it on a dummy.
12
something made to look real, used especially to test people's reaction to it:

Examples:

13
made to seem real:

Examples:

He created a dummy magazine to show to potential publishers.
To meet their monthly targets, salespeople placed dummy orders from friendly customers, cancelling them later.
14
used to describe a company that is created in order to hide information, especially about who owns its assets:

Examples:

The agents set up dummy companies, acquire advanced computers, and then they quietly fold and go home, taking their hardware with them.

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