Words / B2

DEEK-oy/ˈdiːkɔɪ/

A decoy is a person or thing used to trick someone into a trap or away from the real target: a decoy duck; use as a decoy. Lure is a close twin; bait is often food. The decoy in the tactics source still needs the named target. Mix-up: decoy vs decode; toy; do not write decoy for an ordinary spare part with no trick in the source.

Meaning

A person or thing used to trick someone into a trap or away from the real target.

Examples

• “The decoy in the tactics source still needs the named target, the history paper said.”
• “Police used a decoy vehicle, which is still a named diversion — quote the road if given.”

Good to know

a decoy duck / vehicle; use as a decoy. Close: lure / bait / diversion. Trap: decode / a spare with no trick. History, biology, and citizenship. Something used to mislead — name the real target.

Near in meaning

lure, bait, diversion

New