dummy
Ventriloquist's silent partner
A dummy is a model or replica that substitutes for the real thing—a ventriloquist's dummy, a crash-test dummy, a dressmaker's dummy.
The word extends to anything serving as a placeholder: a dummy corporation exists only on paper, a dummy variable holds a position in code.
Informally, dummy means a stupid person: Don't be such a dummy.
As a verb, to dummy up is to remain silent or to create a mock-up: We dummied up a prototype.
Unwise, gullible person
- idiotFoolish, senseless person
- blockheadStupid, foolish person
- simpletonUnintelligent person
- dunceSlow-witted person
dimwit · dolt · nincompoop · buffoon · nitwit · numbskull · oaf · ignoramus
Infant sucking device
- sootherWhat brings relief
- binkyPacifier or rabbit leap
- teetherInfant's gnawing aid
- comforterQuilted bed covering
nipple · silicone · rubber · soothe · baby · suckling · weaning · nursing
Life-sized display figure
display · storefront · tailor · dressmaker · fitting · posable · articulated · clothing
Faithful scaled reproduction
- copyIdentical reproduction made
- mock-upPreliminary representational model
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- imitationCopy of the original
fake · prop · placeholder · blank · sample · prototype · practice · simulation
False target for misdirection
- lureThing that tempts
- baitLure for prey
- trapDevice for catching animals
- diversionRedirection of attention
feint · ploy · ruse · distraction · divert · mislead · snare · stand-in
Temporary position marker
- variableProne to fluctuation
- blankWithout marks or content
- fillerSubstance closing gaps
- sampleSubset for study
test · stub · mock · default · temp · stand-in · null · empty
Producing no sound
- muteWithout voice or sound
- voicelessHaving no voice
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
taciturn · mime · pantomime · gestural · nonverbal · poker-faced · expressionless · tight-lipped
fool
Unwise, gullible person
dunce · dimwit · dolt · nincompoop · buffoon · nitwit · numbskull · oaf · ignoramus · dullard
pacifier
Infant sucking device
comforter · nipple · silicone · rubber · soothe · baby · suckling · weaning · nursing
mannequin
Life-sized display figure
torso · display · storefront · tailor · dressmaker · fitting · posable · articulated · clothing · retail
replica
Faithful scaled reproduction
- copyIdentical reproduction made
- mock-upPreliminary representational model
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
imitation · fake · prop · placeholder · blank · sample · prototype · practice · simulation · stand-in
decoy
False target for misdirection
diversion · feint · ploy · ruse · distraction · divert · mislead · snare · stand-in · substitute
placeholder
Temporary position marker
sample · test · stub · mock · default · temp · stand-in · null · empty · generic
silent
Producing no sound
unspoken · taciturn · mime · pantomime · gestural · nonverbal · poker-faced · expressionless · tight-lipped · uncommunicative
- played dumbFeigned lack of knowledge
- dumb luckAccidental good fortune
- plays dumbPretends to lack knowledge
- playing dumbPretending not to understand
- dumb fucksVulgar term for fools
- dumb downMake less intellectually demanding
dumb, dumbbell, dummies, dumbfound, dumbness, dumbstruck, dummy up, dummied, dummying