puppet show: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “puppet show” mean?
A performance using puppets controlled by puppeteers, typically intended for entertainment, often for children.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A performance using puppets controlled by puppeteers, typically intended for entertainment, often for children.
A situation or series of events that appear to be controlled by an unseen power or authority, lacking genuine independence or autonomy; a deceptive display.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; the term is identical. American English may be slightly more likely to use the informal term 'puppetry' for the art form in formal contexts.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The literal meaning is neutral/positive (family entertainment). The metaphorical meaning is pejorative.
Frequency
Comparably common in both varieties for the literal meaning. The metaphorical use is less frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “puppet show” in a Sentence
to put on a puppet showto watch a puppet showa puppet show about Xa puppet show for childrenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “puppet show” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – the noun is used attributively: 'puppet-show theatre', 'puppet-show producer'.
American English
- N/A – the noun is used attributively: 'puppet-show director', 'puppet-show stage'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The board's decision was just a puppet show; the CEO had already made the choice.'
Academic
Used in studies of theatre, childhood education, or political science (as a metaphor for proxy governance).
Everyday
Literal: Taking children to see a puppet show. Metaphorical: Describing a fake or controlled political debate.
Technical
In theatre arts, refers to a specific performance genre with various sub-forms (marionette, hand puppet, rod puppet, shadow).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “puppet show”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “puppet show”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “puppet show”
- Using 'puppet show' to refer to a TV show *about* puppets (e.g., 'Sesame Street') rather than a discrete theatrical performance. Incorrectly using it as a verb ('We puppetshowed a story').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun written as two separate words: 'puppet show'. It is sometimes hyphenated ('puppet-show') when used attributively before another noun (e.g., 'puppet-show stage'), though the open form is also common.
A 'puppet show' refers to a single performance or event. 'Puppet theatre' can refer to the performance event, but more often denotes the art form as a whole or the physical building/company dedicated to it.
Yes, in its literal sense it is overwhelmingly positive, associated with childhood, creativity, and entertainment. The negative connotation applies almost exclusively to its metaphorical use in politics, business, etc.
It can be considered a specific type of puppet show, where the puppet (dummy) is controlled and voiced by a visible performer. However, it is more precisely called a 'ventriloquist act' or 'ventriloquism'.
A performance using puppets controlled by puppeteers, typically intended for entertainment, often for children.
Puppet show is usually neutral to informal in register.
Puppet show: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʌp.ɪt ʃəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpʌp.ɪt ʃoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's all a puppet show. (Meaning: It's a facade, controlled by someone else.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PUPPET on a SHOW string – it's a performance where puppets are the stars.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS/EVENTS ARE PERFORMANCES (where the visible actors are controlled by hidden powers).
Practice
Quiz
In a political context, calling a debate 'a puppet show' implies that: