Dummy definition

dŭmē
dummied dummies dummying
See word origin
Frequency:
An imitation of a real or original object, intended to be used as a practical substitute.
noun
7
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Simulating or replacing something but lacking its function.

A dummy pocket; a dummy medication in a study.

adjective
4
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Serving as a front or cover for another.

A dummy corporation.

adjective
4
0
To make a model of (a publication or page).
verb
4
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A silent or taciturn person.
noun
3
0
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A stuffed or pasteboard figure used as a target.
noun
2
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Imitation; sham; fictitious.
adjective
2
0
The definition of a dummy is a fool, or a figure made to look like a person.

An example of a dummy is a person who makes the same silly mistake over and over again.

An example of a dummy is a figure used in seat belt testing.

noun
1
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(games) Played with a dummy.
adjective
1
0
A stupid person; a dolt.
noun
1
1
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(computers) Entered or provided only to meet prescribed conditions.

A dummy variable.

adjective
1
1
(slang) A stupid person.
noun
1
1
Dummy means fake.

An example of dummy used as an adjective is in the phrase "dummy trap," which means a fake trap.

adjective
0
0
(computers) A character or other piece of information entered into a computer only to meet prescribed conditions, such as word length, and having no effect on operations.
noun
0
0
A mannequin used in displaying clothes.
noun
0
0
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A figure of a person or an animal manipulated by a ventriloquist.
noun
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(football) A heavy stuffed cylindrical bag used for blocking and tackling practice.
noun
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(law) A person or entity that is the named party to a transaction but that acts on behalf of another concealed person or entity.
noun
0
0
A person or an agency secretly in the service of another.
noun
0
0
One of a set of model pages with text and illustrations pasted into place to direct the printer.
noun
0
0
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A set of bound blank pages used as a model to show the size and general appearance of a book being published.
noun
0
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The partner in bridge who exposes his or her hand to be played by the declarer.
noun
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The hand thus exposed.
noun
0
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The declarer's partner, whose hand is arranged face up on the table and played by the declarer.
noun
0
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Such a hand.
noun
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0
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A set of pages with the layout, as for a magazine.
noun
0
0
A bound volume with blank pages, used as a model for a planned book.
noun
0
0
Secretly acting as a front for another.

A dummy corporation.

adjective
0
0
(slang) Used only in the phrase dummy up, to refuse to talk or tell what one knows.
verb
0
0
A silent person; a person who does not talk.
noun
0
0
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An unintelligent person.

Don't be such a dummy!

noun
0
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A figure of a person or animal used by a ventriloquist; a puppet.
noun
0
0
Something constructed with the size and form of a human, to be used in place of a person.

To understand the effects of the accident, we dropped a dummy from the rooftop.

noun
0
0
A deliberately nonfunctional device or tool used in place of a functional one.

The hammer and drill in the display are dummies.

noun
0
0
(UK, New Zealand) A "dummy teat"; a plastic or rubber teat used to soothe or comfort a baby; a pacifier. [from 20th c.]

The baby wants her dummy.

noun
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(card games, chiefly bridge) A player whose hand is shown and is to be played from by another player.
noun
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(UK) A bodily gesture meant to fool an opposing player in sport; a feint.
noun
0
0
(linguistics) A word serving only to make a construction grammatical.

The pronoun "it" in "It's a mystery why this happened" is a dummy.

noun
0
0
(programming) An unused parameter or value.

If flag1 is false, the other parameters are dummies.

noun
0
0
To make a mock-up or prototype version of something, without some or all off its intended functionality.

The carpenters dummied some props for the rehearsals.

verb
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0
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verb
0
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(slang, former) A person unable to talk; mute.
noun
0
1
A figure made in human form, as for displaying clothing, for practicing tackling in football, etc.
noun
0
1
An imitation or sham; substitute for the real thing, as an empty container or false drawer.
noun
0
1
A person secretly acting for another while apparently representing his or her own interests.
noun
0
1
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
dummy
Plural:
dummies

Origin of dummy

  • From dumb

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From dumb +‎ -y.

    From Wiktionary

Dummy Sentence Examples

  • Why would Yancey have a dummy mail box?

  • The fourth office is that of the deacons, who have to do with 1 " Tulchan," a calf-skin filled with straw, supposed to induce the cow to give milk freely; hence a term of contempt for one who is used as a dummy for the advantage of another.

  • If a young horse be well handled and accustomed to the dummy jockey, mounting it is not attended with much risk of resistance, although this should invariably be anticipated.

  • But the pope marked the intensity of his hatred by causing the dummy to be carved and dressed with such lifelike resemblance that he was almost able to persuade himself that his hated enemy was really consumed in the flames.

  • Gabriel began to beat up the dummy again.

More sentences

Related articles

Also Mentioned In

Words near dummy in the Dictionary