toy

[toi]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR toy ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of toy

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

Related formstoy·er, nountoy·less, adjectivetoy·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for toy

plaything, trinket, doll, flirt, fool, fiddle, tease, trifle, novelty, game, knickknack, curio, bauble, coquet, play, wanton, pet, cosset, dandle, sport

Examples from the Web for toy

Contemporary Examples of toy

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
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
For decades, toy production and marketing was increasingly gender neutral.
Sexism Begins in the Toy Aisle
Nancy Kaffer
November 29, 2014
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
I often find myself in the toy aisle, having an existential crisis.
Laura Jane Grace’s Trans Punk Rebellion
Melissa Leon
October 10, 2014

Historical Examples of toy

He was sitting on the floor with our boy gravely intent on a toy circus.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
Even this toy of a train brings us, in thirty minutes, to Beirut.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
You were but a lad learning to fly your first toy helics when that happened.
In the Orbit of Saturn
Roman Frederick Starzl
We learn first to play with it academically, as the magnet was once a toy.
Essays, First Series
Ralph Waldo Emerson
He wrapped the toy vane in a piece of paper and handed it to his small patron.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for toy

toy

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 Formstoyer, 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

Word Origin and History for toy

c.1300, "amorous playing, sport," later "piece of fun or entertainment" (c.1500), "thing of little value, trifle" (1520s), and "thing for a child to play with" (1580s). Of uncertain origin, and there may be more than one word here. Cf. Middle Dutch toy, Dutch tuig "tools, apparatus, stuff, trash," in speeltuig "play-toy, plaything;" German Zeug "stuff, matter, tools," Spielzeug "plaything, toy;" Danish tøi, Swedish tyg "stuff, gear."

1520s, from toy (n.).

If he be merie and toy with any,
His wife will frowne, and words geve manye.
["Song of the Bachelor's Life," 16c.]

Related: Toyed; toying.