glove puppet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowNeutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “glove puppet” mean?
A type of puppet that is operated by inserting a hand inside, with the puppeteer's fingers controlling the puppet's head and arms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of puppet that is operated by inserting a hand inside, with the puppeteer's fingers controlling the puppet's head and arms.
Can refer metaphorically to a person or organization that appears independent but is actually controlled by another, more powerful entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in British English. In American English, 'hand puppet' is the far more common equivalent; 'glove puppet' is understood but rarely used.
Connotations
Both terms have the same neutral, descriptive connotation, though 'glove puppet' may sound slightly more formal or specific to British ears.
Frequency
In British corpus data, 'glove puppet' is the standard term. In American corpus data, 'hand puppet' dominates, making 'glove puppet' a very low-frequency variant.
Grammar
How to Use “glove puppet” in a Sentence
make + [a/the] + glove puppetoperate + [a/the] + glove puppet[a/the] + glove puppet + of + [character]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glove puppet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A classic glove-puppet show entertained the children.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; metaphorical use possible in political/business commentary ('The subsidiary was a glove puppet for the parent company').
Academic
Used in studies of theatre, performance, or child development.
Everyday
Common in contexts involving children's toys, crafts, or simple theatre.
Technical
Used in puppetry to distinguish from marionettes, rod puppets, etc.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glove puppet”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glove puppet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glove puppet”
- Confusing it with a 'marionette' (string puppet). Spelling as one word ('glovepuppet'). Using it as a verb (incorrect: 'He glove puppetted the character').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, especially in British English, they are generally synonymous. 'Glove puppet' is the standard British term, while 'hand puppet' is the standard American term. Some purists argue a glove puppet is a specific subtype where the puppet's body is like a glove.
No, 'glove puppet' is solely a noun. To describe the action, you would use phrases like 'operate a glove puppet' or 'perform with a glove puppet'.
It is recognised and understood, but it's not a high-frequency metaphor. Terms like 'puppet', 'figurehead', or 'stooge' are more commonly used in political/control contexts.
The most common mistake is confusing it with other types of puppets, particularly 'marionettes' (which are operated by strings from above) or 'finger puppets' (which fit on a single finger).
A type of puppet that is operated by inserting a hand inside, with the puppeteer's fingers controlling the puppet's head and arms.
Glove puppet is usually neutral to informal in register.
Glove puppet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlʌv ˌpʌpɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlʌv ˌpʌpɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be someone's glove puppet (metaphorical: to be controlled by them)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GLOVE you wear on your HAND to operate a PUPPET.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON/CONTROLLED ENTITY IS A PUPPET (e.g., 'He's just a glove puppet for the management').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is the most common American English equivalent for 'glove puppet'?