ploy

American  

[ploi] / plɔɪ /

noun

1. a maneuver or stratagem, as in conversation, to gain the advantage.

   Synonyms:

   gambit, wile, subterfuge, ruse, tactic

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verb (used with object)

1. Military Archaic. to move (troops) from a line into a column.

verb (used without object)

1. Military Archaic. to move from a line into a column.

ploy British  

/ plɔɪ /

noun

1. a manoeuvre or tactic in a game, conversation, etc; stratagem; gambit

2. any business, job, hobby, etc, with which one is occupied

   angling is his latest ploy

3. a frolic, escapade, or practical joke

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Other Word Forms

• counterploy noun

Etymology

Origin of ploy

1475–85; earlier ploye to bend < Middle French ployer ( French plier ) < Latin plicāre to fold, ply ²; deploy

Example Sentences

"It has never been a marketing ploy for me... but I never had any idea how much it would facilitate our business," he said.

From BBC

However, the ploy has yet to bear dividends.

From BBC

I supposed this was James, and despite my scorn for Ma’s little ploy, an involuntary tic of curiosity ran through me.

From Literature

Whether his kindness had been a ploy, a plot, or whether it had been sincere, the effect was the same.

From Literature

All were ploys with more moving parts and increased risk of going wrong.

From BBC

Related Words

• device
• maneuver
• ruse
• scheme
• stratagem
• subterfuge
• tactic