toy

1 of 3

noun

ˈtȯi 

plural toys

1

a

: something for a child to play with

The children played with their toys.

a plush/stuffed toy

plastic/wooden/electronic toys

a bath toy

—often used before another noun

a toy car

a toy store/company/maker

a large toy collection

b

: something resembling a child's toy especially in providing amusement or entertainment

a dog's chew toy

Among Greg Norman's toys is a 61-foot sportfishing boat …

—Austin Murphy

2

: something that is or appears to be small

The duster, a simple aerial crop dusting plane, is a toy in comparison to Delta's fleet now.

—Bianca Theodore

especially : a small animal (as of a small breed or variety) see also toy fox terrier, toy manchester terrier, toy poodle

3

: someone or something that can be toyed with

He's just her toy. = He's just a toy in her hands.

I'm referring to unilateral economic sanctions. This instrument of foreign policy has recently become a toy in the hands of our politicians …

—Oscar Wyatt

4

a

: something (such as a preoccupation) that is paltry or trifling

b

: a literary or musical trifle or diversion

c

: trinket, bauble

5

Scotland : a headdress of linen or woolen hanging down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women of the lower classes

6

obsolete

a

: flirtatious or seductive behavior

b

: pastime

also : a sportive or amusing act : antic

toylike

ˈtȯi-ˌlīk 

adjective

toy

2 of 3

verb

toyed; toying; toys

intransitive verb

1

: to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose

toyed with the idea

2

: to amuse oneself as if with a toy : play

they're just toying with him

3

: to engage in flirtation

toyer

ˈtȯi-ər 

noun

toy

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of diminutive size compared to a standard form or breed

a toy dog

2

: designed or made for use as a toy

a toy stove

Synonyms

Verb

• dally
• disport
• frolic
• play
• recreate
• rollick
• skylark
• sport

Choose the Right Synonym for toy

trifle, toy, dally, flirt, coquet mean to deal with or act toward without serious purpose.

trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

Examples of toy in a Sentence

Noun

Please put away your toys.

He bought a new TV and a few other toys.

Her latest toy is a sports car.

Your car is just a toy compared to this truck.

Verb

the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about

likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating

Adjective

Put your toys back in the toy box.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shop Petco for all the cutest dog toys, outfits, toys, treats, pet beds and more. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Target also says half of its toys will cost under $20 this year, allowing parents and grandparents to really load up on gifts for under the tree. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

In recent seasons, the fashion industry has toyed between the chunky combat and the second skin; the western-inspired and the equestrian; the reimagined welly and the distressed biker—we’ve even witnessed the resurgence of the Chelsea boot thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Loewe. —Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024

Much of this collection toyed between office-appropriate garments such as trousers, silken dresses, and strong outerwear–these arrivals were juxtaposed with colorful sweater sets and also frilly textures seen on skirts, coats and beyond. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Sep. 2024

Adjective

While non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites. —Good Housekeeping, 18 Nov. 2022

While some of these toys and non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites. —Good Housekeeping, 13 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English toye

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6a

Verb

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing toy

• a toy in her hands
• a toy in the hands of
• boy toy
• chew toy
• English toy spaniel
• fidget toy
• soft toy
• toy boy
• toy fox terrier
• toy Manchester terrier
• toy poodle
• toy with

Kids Definition

toy

1 of 2 noun

ˈtȯi 

1

: something of little or no value or importance

2

: something for a child to play with

3

: something small for its kind

especially : an animal of a breed or variety marked by exceptionally small size

toy adjective

toylike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

toy

2 of 2 verb

: to amuse oneself as if with a toy