ploy

[ ploi ]

/ plɔɪ /

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noun

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

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

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

OTHER WORDS FOR ploy

1 tactic, ruse, subterfuge, wile, gambit.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ploy

1475–85; earlier ploye to bend <Middle French ployer (French plier) <Latin plicāre to fold, ply²; see deploy

OTHER WORDS FROM ploy

coun·ter·ploy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ploy in a sentence

In between it is filled with show votes, political ploys and message events.
These Guys Need a Raise?|Patricia Murphy|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which made me wonder whether there are other teams in the league that could be beaten primarily through psychological ploys.
NFL Pundits' Dumbest Comments|Allen Barra|September 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This new power is not based in manipulative ploys intended to set white guilt afire.
Obama's Week of Brilliant Stunts|Stanley Crouch|January 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
They would be having the fine ploys while he was mewed up in Edinburgh.
The House with the Green Shutters|George Douglas Brown

Many had been his perilous ploys, but never yet had he seen the inside of the prison.
Cleg Kelly, Arab of the City|S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
Since then, pyramid schemes have evolved into intricate psychological ploys.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
Ye wad be gaein' playin' at pitch and toss or ither sic ploys wi' them.
Robert Falconer|George MacDonald
I motioned Sweetheart to get behind me—which she did, eager to take a hand in one of "father's ploys."
Sweethearts at Home|S. R. Crockett

British Dictionary definitions for ploy

ploy

/ (plɔɪ) /

noun

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

any business, job, hobby, etc, with which one is occupiedangling is his latest ploy

mainly British a frolic, escapade, or practical joke

Word Origin for ploy

C18: originally Scot and northern English, perhaps from obsolete n sense of employ meaning an occupation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ploy

OTHER WORDS FOR ploy

Origin of ploy

OTHER WORDS FROM ploy

Words related to ploy

How to use ploy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ploy

Word Origin for ploy