noun
plaything
PLAY-thihng
Plaything (noun) means an object, or sometimes a person, used purely for amusement. Example: “The cat treats every loose thread as a plaything.”
noun
1
An object, or sometimes a person, used purely for amusement.
"The cat treats every loose thread as a plaything."
"He refused to be treated as her plaything."
2
Someone at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
"The sailors felt like playthings of the storm."
How to use plaything
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or, less kindly, someone) used only for entertainment.
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Word forms
- Plural
- playthings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat treats every loose thread as a _____.
Etymology
From play + thing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for plaything
See all rhymes for plaything →Frequently asked questions
What does “plaything” mean?
The word “plaything” means an object, or sometimes a person, used purely for amusement. In plain terms, something (or, less kindly, someone) used only for entertainment.
How do you pronounce “plaything”?
“Plaything” is pronounced PLAY-thihng (/ˈpleɪ.θɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaything” in a sentence?
Here is “plaything” used in a sentence: “The cat treats every loose thread as a plaything.”
What part of speech is “plaything”?
“Plaything” is a noun.
How many meanings does “plaything” have?
“Plaything” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object, or sometimes a person, used purely for amusement.
