noun A1 Beginner Common

toy

Toy (noun) means an object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with. Example: “The kids spent the afternoon building towers with their toys.”

noun

An object made for a child (or sometimes an adult) to play with.

"The kids spent the afternoon building towers with their toys."

"He still keeps his old toy soldiers in a box in the attic."

verb

To handle, play with, or fiddle with something idly, without serious purpose.

"She toyed with her fork instead of eating."

"He's been toying with the idea of moving abroad."

adjective

Describing something small, simplified, or not built for serious real-world use.

"The prototype was really just a toy version of the final product."

How to use toy

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

more toy comparative, toyed past tense, toys singular, most toy superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “toy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The kids spent the afternoon building towers with their _____.

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."

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

plaything trinket fiddle trifle novelty

Related words

play novel fool innovation curiosity novelty violin fiddle

Rhymes for toy

oy boy joy hoy soy coy Roy goy doy loy foy ahoy

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'.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include toy:

3 letter words Words that start with T The 5000 most common English words

People also searched

play novel fool innovation curiosity novelty violin fiddle