noun
Uncommon
toby
TOH-bee
Toby (noun) means a drinking mug shaped like a seated man wearing a hat, also called a Toby jug. Example: “The antique shop had a shelf full of Toby jugs.”
noun
1
A drinking mug shaped like a seated man wearing a hat, also called a Toby jug.
"The antique shop had a shelf full of Toby jugs."
"My aunt keeps a painted toby on her mantelpiece, complete with a tiny hat."
"He poured the ale into a chipped toby that had belonged to his grandfather."
2
A stop valve that controls the connection between the public water main and a building's own plumbing.
"The plumber turned off the toby before starting repairs."
"We couldn't find the toby, so the water stayed on during the repair."
"The toby is usually hidden under a small metal cover in the pavement outside."
name
1
A male given name, from the Hebrew name Tobias.
"His friends always called him Toby instead of Tobias."
How to use toby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost familiar as a short form of the name Tobias; also a decorative drinking mug and, in British plumbing, the street-side water shutoff valve.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like toby.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tobies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The antique shop had a shelf full of _____ jugs.
Etymology
A Middle English pet form of the name Tobias.
Synonyms
View more →
stopcock
shutoff valve
Related words
Rhymes for toby
See all rhymes for toby →Frequently asked questions
What does “toby” mean?
The word “toby” means a drinking mug shaped like a seated man wearing a hat, also called a Toby jug. In plain terms, most familiar as a short form of the name Tobias; also a decorative drinking mug and, in British plumbing, the street-side water shutoff valve.
How do you pronounce “toby”?
“Toby” is pronounced TOH-bee (/ˈtoʊbi/ in IPA).
How do you use “toby” in a sentence?
Here is “toby” used in a sentence: “The antique shop had a shelf full of Toby jugs.”
What part of speech is “toby”?
Depending on how it is used, “toby” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “toby” come from?
The word “toby” comes from Middle English. A Middle English pet form of the name Tobias.
Is “toby” a common word?
“Toby” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “toby” have?
“Toby” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drinking mug shaped like a seated man wearing a hat, also called a Toby jug.
What is a Toby jug?
A Toby jug is a drinking mug shaped like a seated man wearing a hat, a traditional form of pottery collectible with roots in English ceramic history. The design typically depicts a jovial, portly figure holding a mug or pipe.
What is a toby in plumbing, and how does it differ from a stopcock?
A toby is a stop valve that controls the connection between the public water main and a building's own plumbing, often located underground near the property boundary. It functions similarly to an indoor stopcock but specifically controls the supply point where a property connects to the main line.
Is Toby only used as a given name, or does it have other meanings?
Toby has several distinct meanings: it's a common short form of the given name Tobias, but it's also the name for a seated-man drinking mug (Toby jug) and, in plumbing, a stop valve controlling a building's water supply from the main.
