toy

[ toi ]

noun

1. an object, often a small representation of something familiar, as an animal or person, for children or others to play with; plaything.
2. a thing or matter of little or no value or importance; a trifle.
3. something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.
4. a small article of little value but prized as a souvenir or for some other special reason; trinket; knickknack; bauble.
5. something diminutive, especially in comparison with like objects.
6. an animal of a breed or variety noted for smallness of size:

   The winning terrier at the dog show was a toy.

7. a close-fitting cap of linen or wool, with flaps coming down to the shoulders, formerly worn by women in Scotland.
8. a simple, light piece of music, especially of 16th or 17th century England, written for the virginal.
9. Obsolete.
   1. amorous dallying.
   2. a playful or amusing act; diversion; pastime.

adjective

1. made or designed for use as a toy:

   a toy gun.

2. of or resembling a toy, especially diminutive in size.

verb (used without object)

1. to amuse oneself; play.
2. to act idly; or with indifference; trifle:

   to toy with one's food.

3. to dally amorously; flirt.

toy

/ tɔɪ /

noun

1. an object designed to be played with
2. 1. something that is a nonfunctioning replica of something else, esp a miniature one
   2. ( as modifier )

      a toy guitar

3. any small thing of little value; trifle
4. 1. something small or miniature, esp a miniature variety of a breed of dog
   2. ( as modifier )

      a toy poodle

verb

1. intrusually foll bywith to play, fiddle, or flirt

Derived Forms

• ˈtoyer, noun
• ˈtoyˌlike, adjective
• ˈtoyless, adjective

Other Words From

• toyer noun
• toyless adjective
• toylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of toy¹

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

Example Sentences

Frequently confined indoors by his illness, “I was the kid who would break toys apart to put them back together,” Hayes-Mota recalls.

From MIT Technology Review

Last week, you were playing with a toy that had five rings of different diameters and a tapered column.

From 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.

From Quanta Magazine

The toy’s wheeled platform can carry a standing rider around the neighborhood.

From Science News For Students

They explore the world through play, he adds, whether it’s stacking toys or building bike ramps.

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

The line right before this is “With little tin horns and little toy drums.”

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

For decades, toy production and marketing was increasingly gender neutral.

From The Daily Beast

Then last week, a 12-year-old in Cleveland shot dead for holding a toy gun.

From The Daily Beast

The same outpourings of affection are seen in the dealings of children with their toy babies and animals.

From Project Gutenberg

Apprend vistement nostre langue, car aussy tost que tu la sauras et m'auras bien enseingn, je veux estre prescheur comme toy.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide darted off like a dragon-fly in the sunshine, as happy as a child with a new toy.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole thing begins to have a jigsaw look, like a child's toy rack with wooden soldiers on it, expanding and contracting.

From Project Gutenberg

As “t” stands for 1, and o and y are vowels, and have no figure value, the numerical value of Toy must be 1.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• doll
• plaything
• trinket