Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense toys, present participle toying, past tense, past participle toyed
1. countable noun
A toy is an object that children play with, for example a doll or a model car.
He was really too old for children's toys.
...a toy telephone.
Synonyms: plaything, game, doll More Synonyms of toy
2. See also soft toy
3. countable noun
You can refer to objects that adults use for fun rather than for a serious purpose as toys.
Computers have become household toys.
Synonyms: trinket, trifle, bauble, gimcrack More Synonyms of toy
Phrasal verbs:
See toy with
More Synonyms of toy
toy in British English
(tɔɪ)
noun
1.
an object designed to be played with
2.
a.
something that is a nonfunctioning replica of something else, esp a miniature one
b.
(as modifier)
a toy guitar
3.
any small thing of little value; trifle
4.
a.
something small or miniature, esp a miniature variety of a breed of dog
b.
(as modifier)
a toy poodle
verb
5. (intransitive; usually foll bywith)
to play, fiddle, or flirt
Derived forms
toyer (ˈtoyer)
noun
toyless (ˈtoyless)
adjective
toylike (ˈtoyˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C16 (in the sense: amorous dalliance): of uncertain origin
toy in American English
(tɔɪ)
noun
1. Obsolete
a.
amorous behavior; flirtation
b.
pastime; sport
2.
a thing of little value or importance; trifle
3.
a little ornament; bauble; trinket
4.
any article to play with, esp. a plaything for children
5.
any small thing, person, or animal; specif., a dog of a small breed, esp. one ofthe toy breeds
adjective
6.
like a toy, or plaything, in size, use, etc.
7.
designating a breed of dog of a small kind kept as a pet or companion
a toy poodle
8.
of or being a model, figure, etc., esp. a miniature one, designed to be played with as a toy
a toy soldier, toy fire engine, toy stove
9.
of, containing, or having to do with toys
toy box, toy store
verb intransitive
10.
to play or trifle (with a thing, an idea, etc.)
11.
to engage in flirtation; dally
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtrifle
Derived forms
toyer (ˈtoyer)
noun
toylike (ˈtoyˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
ME toye in sense toy (sense 1) (< ?); other senses < ? MDu toi, finery, ornament; akin to Ger zeug, ON tygi, stuff, gear, prob. akin to tug
COBUILD Collocations
toy
expensive toy
Examples of 'toy' in a sentence
toy
It follows our story yesterday about pets who still play with their old toys.
The Sun (2016)
There was this whole thing with treats that get put in dog toys.
The Sun (2016)
Why do particular toys and games become sensations?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She plays and runs around chatting, having fun with her toys.
The Sun (2016)
Fresh food, clothes and toys were all up.
The Sun (2017)
The tattooed England winger became hooked on building the plastic toys as he missed all four autumn internationals with a thumb injury and torn quad muscle.
The Sun (2017)
They also warn against soft bedding, blankets, pillows and soft toys.
The Sun (2016)
Maybe you're only as old as the toy you're playing with.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He would sit on his own, lining up toy cars, and if anyone disturbed him he would throw a massive tantrum.
The Sun (2017)
Stick around afterwards for craft activities inspired by the old toys on display.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So the preference for dolls or toy trucks is a mix of nature and nurture.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It has therefore been more formative than any other toy car.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She clutched a fluffy toy dog as both were arrested.
The Sun (2006)
War toys and games are in great demand.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You can also try relaxing music or a favourite toy or book to help calm her.
The Sun (2014)
He might have become a toy bear.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Our money is on a cuddly toy with a split personality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were just part of my soft toy collection.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Pride of place goes to the plastic toy sailor.
The Sun (2007)
One minute they are screaming their name and the next they drop them like an old toy.
The Sun (2010)
He looks like a smiling robot with a toy doll on his arm.
The Sun (2008)
That was one of her favourite toys.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He spends his weekends mending bikes and cars and toys.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My favourite childhood object was my toy gun.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He also loves being outside in his pushchair and hugging his brown dog toy.
The Sun (2012)
A couple of miniature toy cars?
The Sun (2007)
In other languages
toy
British English: toy /tɔɪ/ NOUN
A toy is an object that children play with, for example, a doll or a model car.
He was really too old for children's toys.
American English: toy
Arabic: لُعْبَة
Brazilian Portuguese: brinquedo
Chinese: 玩具
Croatian: igračka
Czech: hračka
Danish: legetøj
Dutch: speeltje
European Spanish: juguete
Finnish: lelu
French: jouet
German: Spielzeug
Greek: παιχνίδι αντικείμενο
Italian: giocattolo
Japanese: おもちゃ
Korean: 장난감
Norwegian: leke
Polish: zabawka
European Portuguese: brinquedo
Romanian: jucărie
Russian: игрушка
Latin American Spanish: juguete
Swedish: leksak
Thai: ของเล่น
Turkish: oyuncak
Ukrainian: іграшка
Vietnamese: đồ chơi
All related terms of 'toy'
toy-toy
a dance expressing defiance and protest
boy toy
a young woman regarded as purposefully seeking to be sexually provocative to men
sex toy
A sex toy is an object that can be used to give sexual pleasure.
toy boy
the much younger male lover of an older partner
toy car
a miniature nonfunctioning replica of a car, esp one that children play with
toy dog
a miniature variety of a breed of dog
toy gun
a miniature nonfunctioning replica of a gun, esp one that children play with
soft toy
Soft toys are toys that are made of cloth filled with a soft material and which look like animals.
toy maker
a person who makes objects that children play with, for example dolls or a model cars
toy train
a miniature replica of a train, esp one that children play with
toy with
If you toy with an idea , you consider it casually without making any decisions about it.
cuddly toy
a soft toy , such as a teddy bear
fluffy toy
a child's toy made of soft materials
stuffed toy
A stuffed toy is the same as a → stuffed animal .
toy poodle
a miniature variety of poodle
toy soldier
a miniature nonfunctioning replica of a soldier, esp one that children play with
executive toy
a novelty item , such as a Newton's cradle , on the desk of a corporate executive
expensive toy
A toy is an object that children play with, for example a doll or a model car.
English toy spaniel
any of a breed of small spaniel , usually with a thick mane , kept especially as a pet
Chinese translation of 'toy'
toy
(tɔɪ)
n(c)
玩具 (wánjù) (个(個), gè)
cpd
[train, car]玩具 (wánjù)
1 (noun)
Definition
an object designed for children to play with, such as a doll or model car
He was really too old for children's toys.
Synonyms
plaything
an untidy garden scattered with children's playthings
game
doll
2 (noun)
Definition
an object that adults use for entertainment rather than for a serious purpose
Computers have become household toys.
Synonyms
trinket
She sold trinkets to tourists.
trifle
He had no money to spare on trifles.
bauble
The trees are decorated with fairy lights and coloured baubles.
gimcrack
gewgaw
knick-knack
Her flat is spilling over with knick-knacks.
(verb)
Synonyms
fiddle
She fiddled with a pen on the desk.
play (informal)
He's not working, he's just playing around.
Phrasal verbs
See toy with someone
See toy with something
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bauble
Definition
a trinket of little value
The trees are decorated with fairy lights and coloured baubles.