First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
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
1
2
3
: something for a child to play with
4
: something diminutive; especially : a diminutive animal (as of a small breed or variety)
5
: something that can be toyed with
6
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
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Origin of TOY
Middle English toye
2toy
intransitive verb
Definition of TOY
1
: to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose <toyed with the idea>
2
: to engage in flirtation
3
: 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
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
1
: of diminutive size compared to a standard form or breed <a toy dog>
2
: designed or made for use as a toy <a toy stove>
See toy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TOY
1801
TOYER Defined for Kids
1toy
noun \ˈtȯi\
Definition of TOY for Kids
1
: something for a child to play with
2
: something of little or no value
3
: something small of its kind
2toy
verb
toyedtoy·ing
Definition of TOY for Kids
1
: to fidget or play with without thinking
2
: 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>
3
: to flirt with
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