plaything

[pley-thing]

noun

1. a thing to play with; toy.

2. a person who is used capriciously and selfishly by another.

plaything

/ ˈpleɪˌθɪŋ /

noun

1. a toy

2. a person regarded or treated as a toy

   he thinks she is just his plaything

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaything¹

First recorded in 1665–75; play + thing ¹

Example Sentences

"The coming weeks, months and few years will decide if Europe remains an independent economic power in the world economy or if we become the plaything of big economic centres in America or Asia."

Read more on Barron's

"This is our everything - to him it's a plaything. We have to show him that his time is up, that we don't want or need him any more, and that he needs to leave."

Read more on BBC

Who else is the Silicon Valley motto, “move fast and break things,” for other than CEOs who view people as expendable and companies as their playthings?

Read more on Salon

"Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything."

Read more on BBC

"Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything," said Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, in a statement online.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bauble 
• gadget 
• pastime