NYT Dictionary

DECOY

/ˈdiːkɔɪ/
NounVerbde-COYde-coy · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A person or object meant to lure somebody into danger.

Etymology

Origin: Dutch

From Dutch de + kooi, literally "the cage". Possibly related to verb coy (which itself may have been influenced by decoy).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

body doubledecoyred herringsteererbaitlureallureallurementblandishcajole

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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