Definitions

1. noun

a person or thing that is used to attract or lure something, especially an animal, into a trap or a particular place

“The hunter used a decoy duck to lure the real duck into the trap.”

2. verb

to attract or lure something, especially an animal, into a trap or a particular place

“The poachers decoyed the elephants into the valley with food.”

3. noun

a misleading or false appearance or impression

“The company’s financial reports gave a decoy impression of the company’s success.”