# decoy

/dəˈkɔɪ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decoy
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a person or object used to trick someone into looking away from what is really happening. You use it to lead someone into a trap or away from a target.

For teachers: a person or object used to lure an individual or entity into a trap or to distract attention from a primary target. Often used in military, hunting, or security contexts to misdirect an opponent.

## Examples

- The police used a decoy car to catch the thieves.
- Hunters often place wooden ducks on the water as a decoy to attract real birds to the area.
- The fighter jets deployed flares as a decoy to confuse the heat-seeking missiles and allow the pilots to escape the combat zone safely.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verb 'to use' or 'to act as'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.