Definition

1. Noun:

   • A model of a human figure: A representation of the human form, often used for display, practice, or as a target.
   • A stupid person: An ignorant or foolish person.
   • A non-functional imitation: An object designed to look like and serve the place of another but lacking its function or contents.
   • A pacifier: A rubber or plastic teat for a baby to suck on (chiefly British English usage).

2. Adjective:

   • Not real; imitation: Having the appearance of a real thing but lacking its capacity to function.

3. Verb:

   • To create a mock-up: To make a dummy of something, such as a preliminary version of a publication.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The store window displayed a fashion dummy wearing the new collection.
  • Don't be such a dummy; the instructions are clear.
  • The police used a dummy during the training exercise.
  • The baby wouldn't sleep without her dummy.

• Adjective:

  • They installed a dummy security camera to deter thieves.
  • The book had a dummy cover before the final design was approved.

• Verb:

  • The designer will dummy up the page layouts for the magazine.

Advanced Usage

• "To dummy up" (phrasal verb):
  • To refuse to speak or give information; to become silent.

    • When questioned by the police, he just dummied up.
  • To create a mock-up or preliminary version.

    • We need to dummy up a proposal for the client.

Variants and Related Words

• Dummy run (noun phrase): A practice or trial attempt; a rehearsal.
  • Let's do a dummy run of the presentation before the actual meeting.

Synonyms

• Noun (model): Mannequin, figure, model.
• Noun (fool): Fool, idiot, simpleton.
• Adjective: Fake, imitation, mock, sham.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Dummy out (in computing/card games): To discard or remove a placeholder or non-playing card.
  • The program will dummy out those unused fields.

Related Idioms

• Sell a dummy (sports idiom, chiefly rugby/soccer): To deceive an opponent by feigning a pass or move.
  • The player sold a dummy to the defender and scored a try.

Adjective

1. having the appearance of being real but lacking capacity to function
   • a dummy corporation

Noun

1. a cartridge containing an explosive charge but no bullet
2. a figure representing the human form
3. an ignorant or foolish person
4. a person who does not talk

Verb

1. make a dummy of
   • dummy up the books that are to be published