puppet

/ˈpʌpɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpʌpɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpə-pət/ (ame, mw)

puppet — noun

  • puppetsingular
  • puppetsplural

1. An object used in shows or play, designed to look like a human or creature, that

1.名詞A2
釋義

An object used in shows or play, designed to look like a human or creature, that you make move — either by fitting your hand inside its cloth body and moving the head and arms with your fingers, or by pulling strings attached to its parts.

例句

Mei-Lin held a felt puppet over her hand and made it wave at the toddlers.

hand puppet held over the hand

The puppet's strings got tangled, so Kwame had to carefully untie each one.

同義詞
  • marionette

    specifically a puppet moved by strings from above, often made of wood

  • hand puppet

    a puppet that fits over the hand; the most common type for children's play

  • doll

    a general toy figure of a person, but does not imply that it can be made to move by strings or hand

用法筆記

When describing the type, add a word before 'puppet': hand puppet (fits over the hand), string puppet (moved by strings from above), finger puppet (fits on one finger). The person who operates a puppet is called a puppeteer.

常見錯誤

❌I gave the child a puppet doll.
✅I gave the child a puppet.
💡'Puppet' already means a doll you make move; adding 'doll' is redundant.

2. A person or organization that seems to make its own decisions but is secretly co

2.名詞B2
釋義

A person or organization that seems to make its own decisions but is secretly controlled by a hidden outside force, especially for dishonest or unfair purposes.

例句

The prime minister was a puppet of the military leaders who really ran the country.

puppet of + group that controls

Nadia felt like a puppet in her own job, as her boss made every important decision.

同義詞
  • pawn

    suggests the person is expendable and used strategically by someone more powerful, like a chess piece

  • tool

    implies the person is used to carry out tasks for another's benefit, often without knowing the full plan

  • figurehead

    describes someone who has a title or official position but no real authority

反義詞
  • leader

    someone who makes independent decisions and directs others

  • independent person

    someone who acts on their own judgment

文法句型

puppet of someone/something

someone's puppet

用法筆記

Common in political contexts with nouns like 'government', 'regime', 'leader', or 'state' (e.g. a puppet government). The person or group in control is introduced with 'of': a puppet of the dictatorship.

常見錯誤

❌The president is a puppet who controlled by the generals.
✅The president is a puppet who is controlled by the generals.
💡A form of 'be' is needed before 'controlled' in this relative clause.
❌He is just a puppet of the company's.
✅He is just a puppet of the company.
💡Use 'of' directly without a possessive 's.