puppetry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “puppetry” mean?
The art or practice of making and operating puppets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The art or practice of making and operating puppets.
A performance, political situation, or organizational structure where individuals are controlled, and actions are manipulated from behind the scenes in a way reminiscent of puppets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The art form is identically named.
Connotations
Metaphorical use (e.g., political puppetry) is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher in UK due to stronger tradition of theatrical puppetry (e.g., Punch and Judy).
Grammar
How to Use “puppetry” in a Sentence
[adj] puppetrypuppetry of [noun]puppetry in [field/context]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “puppetry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To puppeteer
American English
- To puppet
adverb
British English
- Puppet-like
American English
- Puppet-like
adjective
British English
- Puppet-like
American English
- Puppet-like
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically to criticise covert control: 'The merger was an elaborate puppetry orchestrated by the hedge funds.'
Academic
Used in theatre/performance studies, political science (metaphor), and anthropology.
Everyday
Refers to the performance art, especially for children. Metaphorical use is understood.
Technical
Specific in theatre: techniques like rod puppetry, hand puppetry, Bunraku.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “puppetry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “puppetry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “puppetry”
- Using as a countable noun (*a puppetry). Incorrect: 'He made a beautiful puppetry.' Correct: 'He is skilled in puppetry.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often associated with children's entertainment, it is a serious performing art with adult audiences (e.g., Bunraku) and is used as a powerful political metaphor.
Almost never. It is primarily an uncountable noun (like 'music' or 'art'). You don't say 'a puppetry', but 'a puppetry performance' or 'the puppetry'.
Puppetry is the broader art of operating any puppet. Ventriloquism is a specific skill of speaking without moving one's lips, often combined with operating a dummy (a type of puppet).
Typically yes. It implies a lack of authenticity, autonomy, and genuine agency, suggesting hidden controllers.
The art or practice of making and operating puppets.
Puppetry is usually neutral to formal in register.
Puppetry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʌpɪtri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpʌpətri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A master of puppetry (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PUPPET trying to win a TROPHY. PUPPET-TRY = PUPPETRY, the art puppets try to master.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS PUPPETRY (e.g., He is a puppet master; the political puppetry was obvious).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'puppetry' most closely relates to: