1. A person with limited intelligence: This is the most common and often offensive meaning. It implies someone is slow, stupid, or lacking in common sense.
* Example: "Don't be a dummy, it's obvious what you need to do."
2. A person who is easily manipulated or tricked: This definition is similar to the first but focuses on being naive or gullible.
* Example: "He's such a dummy, he fell for that scam."
3. A model or imitation: This usage is less common and usually refers to a life-sized figure used for display or demonstration.
* Example: "The doctor used a dummy to demonstrate the procedure."
4. A substitute or placeholder: This meaning is also less common but can be used in various contexts, such as a temporary placeholder for a missing part or a person who fills in for someone else.
* Example: "The new employee is just a dummy until the real manager arrives."
5. A silent or inactive element: This meaning is mostly technical and refers to a part of a system that doesn't do anything, like a dummy load in electrical testing.
It's important to note:
* Using "dummy" to describe someone's intelligence is very insulting and should be avoided.
* In most contexts, it's best to use more respectful language to describe someone's abilities or lack thereof.
If you're unsure of the best word to use, it's always better to err on the side of caution and choose a more neutral or positive term.