toy
toy
Toy (noun) means an object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with. Example: “The puppy chewed its favourite toy until the squeaker finally stopped working.”
noun
1
An object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with.
"The puppy chewed its favourite toy until the squeaker finally stopped working."
"The kids spent the afternoon building towers with their toys."
"He still keeps his old toy soldiers in a box in the attic."
verb
1
To handle, play with, or fiddle with something idly, without serious purpose.
"He sat toying with his keys while he waited for the interview to start."
"She toyed with her fork instead of eating."
"He's been toying with the idea of moving abroad."
adjective
1
Describing something small, simplified, or not built for serious real-world use.
"He built a toy model of the engine to test the idea."
"The software is only a toy example, so don't use it for real work."
"The prototype was really just a toy version of the final product."
How to use toy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething made for play, or (as a verb) to fiddle with something or consider an idea casually.
Common pairings
toy with the idea
toy soldier
children's toys
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- toys
- Past tense
- toyed
- Comparative
- more toy
- Superlative
- most toy
Fill the gap
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The puppy chewed its favourite _____ until the squeaker finally stopped working.
Etymology
From Middle English toye, meaning "amorous play" or "a bit of fun," probably from a Middle Dutch word for tools or gear — related to the word "tug."
Related words
Rhymes for toy
See all rhymes for toy →Frequently asked questions
What does “toy” mean?
The word “toy” means an object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with. In plain terms, something made for play, or (as a verb) to fiddle with something or consider an idea casually.
How do you pronounce “toy”?
“Toy” is pronounced toy (/tɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “toy” in a sentence?
Here is “toy” used in a sentence: “The kids spent the afternoon building towers with their toys.”
What part of speech is “toy”?
Depending on how it is used, “toy” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “toy” come from?
The word “toy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English toye, meaning "amorous play" or "a bit of fun," probably from a Middle Dutch word for tools or gear — related to the word "tug.".
Is “toy” a common word?
“Toy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “toy” have?
“Toy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with.
What is the difference between a toy and a game?
A toy is a physical object made for a child, or sometimes an adult, to play with freely. A game is a structured activity with rules and usually a goal or winner, so a ball is a toy while football is a game you might play with it.
What words commonly go with 'toy'?
As a noun you often see 'toy box', 'soft toy', 'toy soldier', and 'toy shop'. As a verb, the usual pattern is 'toy with', as in 'toy with an idea' or 'toy with someone's feelings'.
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