deke

American  

[deek] / dik /

verb (used with object)

deked, deking

1. to deceive (an opponent) by a fake.

---

noun

1. a fake or feint intended to deceive a defensive player, often drawing that player out of position.

deke British  

/ diːk /

noun

1. (esp in ice hockey) the act or an instance of feinting

---

verb

1. (esp in ice hockey) to deceive (an opponent) by carrying out a feint

Etymology

Origin of deke

First recorded in 1955–60; originally a Canadian English shortening of decoy

Explanation

A good deke fakes out your opponent — like a tricky move that fools a goalie into thinking you're going to hit an ice hockey puck one way, but then you go the other! The word deke originated in ice hockey, but it's since spread into many other sports. In football, a quarterback might deke by mimicking the motion of throwing the ball in one direction, but then instead throwing it in another. A good deke misdirects an opponent, getting them to commit to moving to the wrong spot. The word deke is used as both a noun and a verb: You can deke ("fake out") an opponent with a clever deke ("a fake-out").

Example Sentences

She pulled off a ridiculous deke, flipped the puck toward the goal and—gold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Byfield extended the Kings’ lead to 3-0 at 1:17 of the second period, and Fiala made it 4-0 at 2:56 when he made a clever deke and sliced through the slot alone.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2023

Chicago’s Elizabeth Williams fell for the deke, Griner absorbed the contact and hit the shot to begin a three-point play.

From Washington Times • May 21, 2023

Fogg made one more deke to beat the goalkeeper, then delivered the decisive tally in an 8-7 overtime win at Gator Field in Bethesda.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

Rattray buried the winner on a slick deke after Desbiens and Frankel went toe-to-toe through eight rounds of the shootout before being mobbed by teammates.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2023