toy
Americannoun
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an object, often a small representation of something familiar, as an animal or person, for children or others to play with; plaything.
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a thing or matter of little or no value or importance; a trifle.
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something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.
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a small article of little value but prized as a souvenir or for some other special reason; trinket; knickknack; bauble.
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something diminutive, especially in comparison with like objects.
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an animal of a breed or variety noted for smallness of size.
The winning terrier at the dog show was a toy.
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a close-fitting cap of linen or wool, with flaps coming down to the shoulders, formerly worn by women in Scotland.
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a simple, light piece of music, especially of 16th or 17th century England, written for the virginal.
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Obsolete.
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amorous dallying.
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a playful or amusing act; diversion; pastime.
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adjective
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made or designed for use as a toy.
a toy gun.
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of or resembling a toy, especially diminutive in size.
verb (used without object)
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to amuse oneself; play.
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to act idly; or with indifference; trifle.
to toy with one's food.
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to dally amorously; flirt.
noun
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an object designed to be played with
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something that is a nonfunctioning replica of something else, esp a miniature one
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( as modifier )
a toy guitar
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any small thing of little value; trifle
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something small or miniature, esp a miniature variety of a breed of dog
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( as modifier )
a toy poodle
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verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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toysimple
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toyssimple
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have toyedperfect
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has toyedperfect
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am toyingprogressive
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are toyingprogressive
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is toyingprogressive
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have been toyingperfect progressive
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has been toyingperfect progressive
Past
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toyedsimple
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had toyedperfect
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was toyingprogressive
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were toyingprogressive
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had been toyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of toy
1275–1325; Middle English toye dalliance; of obscure origin
Explanation
A toy is an object that's made for a child to play with. Your favorite childhood toy might have been a dollhouse, a stuffed animal, or a set of blocks. Some toys are specifically designed for play, like a small wooden train set or a baby's shape sorter. You can also make toys out of everyday objects and materials—a piece of paper can take the shape of a toy airplane, and a saucepan can become a toy drum. Very small dogs are another kind of toy, like a toy poodle. When you use it as a verb, toy means "move or handle absent-mindedly."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Here are some can’t-miss theater picks: If you’re looking for family fare, Toy Story 5 is heartbreaking and poignant.
From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026
Disney's "Toy Story 5" romped to the best opening weekend of the year, raking in $160 million in North America, industry estimates showed Sunday, a record for the much-loved Pixar franchise.
From Barron's • Jun. 21, 2026
The prior four movies are the most-watched film franchise on Disney+ and Toy Story consumer products generate more than $1 billion in annual sales, according to the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
I was skeptical that the world needed a fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise, but then I read Dana Stevens’ write-up of a film that “wrestles with an existential threat to the franchise—and triumphs.”
From Slate • Jun. 17, 2026
Mama blushed and picked up little Mary Toy, who was four, and took her out.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
