Phrase guide

dummy run

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A trial or practice before the real attempt.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • We'll try a dummy run with a small group first, to check that it works correctly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

dummy (“false”) + run (“trial, test”)