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¹toy

noun \ˈtȯi\

: something a child plays with

: something that an adult buys or uses for enjoyment or entertainment

: something that is very small

Full Definition of TOY

obsolete

a : flirtatious or seductive behavior

b : pastime; also : a sportive or amusing act : antic

a : something (as a preoccupation) that is paltry or trifling

b : a literary or musical trifle or diversion

c : trinket, bauble

: something for a child to play with

: something diminutive; especially : a diminutive animal (as of a small breed or variety)

: something that can be toyed with

Scottish : a headdress of linen or woolen hanging down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women of the lower classes

— toy·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See toy defined for English-language learners

See toy defined for kids

Origin of TOY

Middle English toye

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with TOY

boy, buoy, cloy, coy, foy, goy, hoy, joy, koi, oy, ploy, poi, Roy, soy, troy, Troy

²toy

intransitive verb

Definition of TOY

: to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose <toyed with the idea>

: to engage in flirtation

: to amuse oneself as if with a toy : play <they're just toying with him>

— toy·er \ˈtȯi-ər\ noun

First Known Use of TOY

circa 1529

Related to TOY

Synonyms: dally, disport, frolic, recreate, rollick, skylark, sport, play

Synonym Discussion of TOY

trifle, toy, dally, flirt, coquet mean to deal with or act toward without serious purpose. trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt <to trifle with a lover's feelings>. toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers <a political novice toying with great issues>. dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement <dallying with the idea of building a boat someday>. flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object <flirted with one fashionable ism after another>. coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention <companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations>.

³toy

adjective

: of, for, or relating to toys

: of a kind that is meant for a child to play with

—used to describe an animal (such as a dog) that is the smallest kind of a particular breed

Full Definition of TOY

: of diminutive size compared to a standard form or breed <a toy dog>

: designed or made for use as a toy <a toy stove>

See toy defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TOY

1801

TOY Defined for Kids

¹toy

noun \ˈtȯi\

Definition of TOY for Kids

: something for a child to play with

: something of little or no value

: something small of its kind

²toy

verb

toyedtoy·ing

Definition of TOY for Kids

: to fidget or play with without thinking

: to think about something briefly and not very seriously <He was toying with the idea of doing a whole book of drawings. — Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia>

: to flirt with