toy

[ toi ]

/ tɔɪ /

noun

an object, often a small representation of something familiar, as an animal or person, for children or others to play with; plaything.

a thing or matter of little or no value or importance; a trifle.

something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.

a small article of little value but prized as a souvenir or for some other special reason; trinket; knickknack; bauble.

something diminutive, especially in comparison with like objects.

an animal of a breed or variety noted for smallness of size: The winning terrier at the dog show was a toy.

a close-fitting cap of linen or wool, with flaps coming down to the shoulders, formerly worn by women in Scotland.

a simple, light piece of music, especially of 16th or 17th century England, written for the virginal.

Obsolete.

amorous dallying.
a playful or amusing act; diversion; pastime.

adjective

made or designed for use as a toy: a toy gun.

of or resembling a toy, especially diminutive in size.

verb (used without object)

to amuse oneself; play.

to act idly; or with indifference; trifle: to toy with one's food.

to dally amorously; flirt.

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Nourish your vocabulary with a refresher on the words from the week of September 14–20, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “blatherskite” mean?

a person given to voluble, empty talk.

an ancient Greek or Roman farce that depended for effect largely upon ludicrous actions and gestures.

a check whose amount has been raised by forgery before cashing.

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Origin of toy

1275–1325; Middle English toye dalliance; of obscure origin

OTHER WORDS FROM toy

toyer, nountoyless, adjectivetoylike, adjective

Words nearby toy

toxophore, toxoplasma, Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, toxopyrimidine, toy, Toyama, toy boy, toy dog, toyetic, toymaker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for toy

Frequently confined indoors by his illness, “I was the kid who would break toys apart to put them back together,” Hayes-Mota recalls.
Childhood medical battles shaped his quest to deliver more effective treatments|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Last week, you were playing with a toy that had five rings of different diameters and a tapered column.
Can The Hare Beat The Tortoise?|Zach Wissner-Gross|July 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Here’s the story of how a toy model of magnetism demystified phase transitions, became ubiquitous in science and continues to help push the boundaries of knowledge today.
The Cartoon Picture of Magnets That Has Transformed Science|Charlie Wood|June 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The toy’s wheeled platform can carry a standing rider around the neighborhood.
Batteries should not burst into flames|Carolyn Wilke|April 16, 2020|Science News For Students

They explore the world through play, he adds, whether it’s stacking toys or building bike ramps.
Science isn’t just for scientists|Silke Schmidt|March 5, 2020|Science News For Students
I know that I cannot carry a gun in public and neither can my sons, even if it is a toy.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A car was indeed dispatched, with no mention that the suspect was possibly a juvenile and that the gun might be a toy.
The Cleveland Cops Who Fired 137 Shots and Cried Victim|Michael Daly|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For decades, toy production and marketing was increasingly gender neutral.
Sexism Begins in the Toy Aisle|Nancy Kaffer|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then last week, a 12-year-old in Cleveland shot dead for holding a toy gun.
Raging Protesters Set Ferguson on Fire|Justin Glawe|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I often find myself in the toy aisle, having an existential crisis.
Laura Jane Grace’s Trans Punk Rebellion|Melissa Leon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A dry branch snapped under Kerry's foot with the report of a toy pistol.
Southern Lights and Shadows|Various
You knew you had fascinated me and bewitched me, and it gave you pleasure to toy with me!
Frank Merriwell's Son|Burt L. Standish
I must get a toy to-morrow for Eliza, and send the device for the seals of myself and ——.
The Love Affairs of Lord Byron|Francis Henry Gribble
At this the toy captain was so furious that he shook with anger from head to foot.
The Other Side of the Sun|Evelyn Sharp
He stuck his hand through the unglazed window of a never-built shop and plucked out a toy in a battered box.
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for toy

toy

/ (tɔɪ) /

noun

an object designed to be played with

something that is a nonfunctioning replica of something else, esp a miniature one
(as modifier)a toy guitar

any small thing of little value; trifle

something small or miniature, esp a miniature variety of a breed of dog
(as modifier)a toy poodle

verb

(intr usually foll by with) to play, fiddle, or flirt

Derived forms of toy

toyer, nountoyless, adjectivetoylike, adjective

Word Origin for toy

C16 (in the sense: amorous dalliance): of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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toy

noun

adjective

verb (used without object)

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Origin of toy

OTHER WORDS FROM toy

Words nearby toy

Example sentences from the Web for toy

British Dictionary definitions for toy

noun

verb

Derived forms of toy

Word Origin for toy

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

toy

noun

adjective

verb (used without object)

QUIZZES

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Origin of toy

OTHER WORDS FROM toy

Words nearby toy

Words related to toy

Example sentences from the Web for toy

British Dictionary definitions for toy

noun

verb

Derived forms of toy

Word Origin for toy