sock puppet

[ sok-puhp-it ]

noun
  1. a hand puppet made out of a sock.

  2. a person or group whose actions are controlled by another; a puppet: The politician was suspected to be a sock puppet for the oil company he'd invested in.

  1. Digital Technology.

    • Also called sock . a false name or identity assumed by an internet user, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity: The forum is moderated by Bob, and has a contributor named Tom, a sock puppet operated by Bob.

    • Also called sock, sock account . an online user account created for such purposes: I'm posting from a sock puppet because I don't want my boss to see this.

verb (used without object)Digital Technology.
  1. to assume a false identity or name on the internet, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity: The contest succeeded, despite people's tendencies to sock puppet and upvote their own work.

Origin of sock puppet

1
First recorded in1959 for def. 1; in 1990–95 for def. 2; and in 2000–05 for def. 3
  • Also sock·pup·pet .

Other words from sock puppet

  • sock-pup·pet, verb (used without object), sock-pup·pet·ed, sock-pup·pet·ing.

Words Nearby sock puppet

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

How to use sock puppet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sock puppet

sock puppet

noun
  1. a simple puppet made from a sock and worn over one hand

  2. an extra online identity created by a member of a discussion forum, etc, to agree with opinions submitted under his or her usual online name

Derived forms of sock puppet

  • sock puppeteer, noun
  • sock puppetry, noun

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