Dummy
'dʌmi
Definitions
4 meaningsAn imitation of a person or object, used for display or training.
'dʌmi
An imitation or model of something, often used for testing or display.
The crash test dummy provided valuable data on the car's safety features.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're learning how to give someone a shot. You wouldn't practice on a real person, right? So, you use a dummy, like a doll, to practice on! It's a pretend person or thing.
👶 For kids: A fake thing that looks like something real, like a doll or toy used to pretend with.
More Examples
She used a dummy to practice her presentation before the actual event.
How It's Used
"The designer dressed the mannequin with the latest collection."
"Doctors used a training dummy to practice CPR."
A stupid person.
'dʌmi
A person who is regarded as foolish.
He felt like a dummy for believing the fake news.
💡 Simply: If someone does something really silly or gets tricked easily, you might call them a dummy. It's like saying they weren't thinking clearly.
👶 For kids: A silly person who doesn't know things or acts foolish.
More Examples
Don't be a dummy; look both ways before you cross the street.
How It's Used
"He was a bit of a dummy and fell for the trick."
Fake or not genuine; made to look like something real.
'dʌmi
Imitation or fake.
The store used dummy products to prevent theft.
💡 Simply: Imagine a store has a phone on display, but it's not a working phone, just for show. It's a 'dummy' phone – fake!
👶 For kids: Something that looks real, but is not. Like a toy phone in a store.
More Examples
The programmer used dummy data for testing the website.
How It's Used
"The store displayed dummy products, and the real ones were behind the counter."
"The software used dummy data for testing."
A pacifier used to soothe a baby.
'dʌmi
A baby's pacifier.
The baby sucked on the dummy to calm down.
💡 Simply: When a baby is fussy or crying, parents sometimes give them a little rubber or plastic thing to suck on. That's called a dummy or a pacifier.
👶 For kids: A toy that babies put in their mouths to help them feel better when they're sad or want to suck on something.
More Examples
The mother gave her child a dummy before nap time.
How It's Used
"The baby was soothed by her dummy."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
dummy up
To be quiet or to stop talking.
"He told her to dummy up because they didn't want to be noticed."
From Middle English *domme* 'silent, stupid', from Old English *dom* 'judgment, opinion' (referring to a person of little understanding). Influenced by the word 'dumb'.
The word 'dummy' has been used since the late 16th century, initially to describe a person unable to speak. Its meaning broadened over time.
Memory tip
Think of a store mannequin - a 'dummy' used to show off clothes.
Word Origin
"silent, stupid"