English · Word Candidate

puppet

/ˈpʌpɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: puppets · puppeting · puppeted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Any small model of a person or animal able to be moved by strings or rods, or in the form of a glove.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A person, country, etc, controlled by another.

Noun

Examples

These men , from no worse motive that could be discovered than a thirst after knowledge beyond their sphere , committed burglary upon the barn in which the puppets had been consigned to repose

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To control or manipulate like a puppet.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “puppet” mean?

Any small model of a person or animal able to be moved by strings or rods, or in the form of a glove.

Is “puppet” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.