toy
Americannoun
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toys
plural
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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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toys,
present (3rd person singular)
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toyed,
past participle, past
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toying
present participle
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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.
See Examples For:
Every toy starts with a design from a customer, such as an American toy company.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
So for a $30 toy, that basic rate is 12.5% of $6, which is 75 cents.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
On a $30 toy, that's $6, which has to cover the price of the plastic and other materials, production costs including wages, and what profit the factory makes.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Chinese factories typically make a profit of between 3% and 10%, according to Jay Foreman, chief executive of US toy firm Basic Fun.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
It barely weighed anything at all, the sort of toy a little girl could carry everywhere.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
With great humanity, “Ulysses S. Cat” makes the case for pets, not as toys or diversions, but as companions in joy, sorrow and all the rest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
This tariff is paid for by the American company that has imported the toys.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
“Both toys and other recreational goods — products that are largely imported — posted their largest-ever monthly changes,” the analysts wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
Prices of goods like apparel and toys, which are often made from petrochemicals, also ticked up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
I guess even I had to admit that I was getting a little too old for toys in the bathtub.
From "Fourth Grade Rats" by Jerry Spinelli
He toyed with the idea of becoming a veterinarian, but after noticing that winemakers seemed a lot happier than vets, he decided to study winemaking instead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Mired in a drought, she toyed with entering another last-minute tune-up tournament to chase the match victories that usually build confidence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The pair toyed with India's wilting bowlers throughout, with Knight reverse-sweeping and scoring cannily behind square while Capsey struck beautifully straight down the ground.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
This year, “Exit 8” and the upcoming “Backrooms” toyed with a less-is-more approach to claustrophobic, liminal horror.
From Salon ● May 25, 2026
Sure, it wasn’t nice the way that Reggie had toyed with him, but this was just delaying the inevitable.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
Drewes said she met Swalwell three times as she was growing her fashion software company and toying with the idea of a political career.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
As an epidemiologist who knows far too much about infectious disease, I’m still toying with going on a cruise next year with my family.
From Slate ● May 16, 2026
At times, it feels like a victory lap, the most flattering possible portrait of a man who might be toying with the idea of going out while he’s still on top.
From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026
But there was one Liverpool-born forward toying with Football League defenders whose skills and outrageous goals earned him a weekly spot on Soccer AM's signature feature and the title 'Showboat King'.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
I think of her as the conscious one, the one in control: she’s toying with him, in a hard, lacquered way straight out of forties movie posters.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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