toy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an artifact designed to be played with
    plaything.
  2. noun a nonfunctional replica of something else (frequently used as a modifier)
    • a toy stove
  3. noun a device regarded as providing amusement
    • private airplanes are a rich man's toy
  4. noun a copy that reproduces a person or thing in greatly reduced size
    miniature.
  5. noun any of several breeds of very small dogs kept purely as pets
    toy dog.
  6. verb behave carelessly or indifferently
    flirt; play; dally.
    • Play about with a young girl's affection
  7. verb manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    diddle; fiddle; play.
    • She played nervously with her wedding ring
    • Don't fiddle with the screws
    • He played with the idea of running for the Senate
  8. verb engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
    play.
    • They played games on their opponents
    • play the stock market
    • play with her feelings
    • toy with an idea

WordNet

Toy noun
Etymology
D. tuid tools, implements, stuff, trash, speeltuig playthings, toys; akin to G. zeug stuff, materials, MNG. zuic, Icel. tygi gear; all ultimately from the root of E. tug, v.t.; cf.G. zeugen to beget, MHG.ziugen to beget, make ready, procure. See Tug, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A plaything for children; a bawble. Cowper.
  2. A thing for amusement, but of no real value; an article of trade of little value; a trifle.
    They exchange for knives, glasses, and such toys, great abundance of gold and pearl. Abr. Abbot.
  3. A wild fancy; an odd conceit; idle sport; folly; trifling opinion.
    To fly about playing their wanton toys. Spenser.
    What if a toy take'em in the heels now, and they all run away. Beau. &Fl.
    Nor light and idle toys my lines may vainly swell. Drayton.
  4. Amorous dalliance; play; sport; pastime. Milton.
    To dally thus with death is no fit toy. Spenser.
  5. An old story; a silly tale. Shak.
  6. Probably the same word. A headdress of linen or woolen, that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes; -- called also toy mutch. Scot. "Having, moreover, put on her clean toy, rokelay, and scarlet plaid." Sir W. Scott.
Toy intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle toyed ; present participle & verbal noun toying
Definitions
  1. To dally amorously; to trifle; to play.
    To toy, to wanton, dally, smile and jest. Shak.
Toy transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To treat foolishly. Obs. E. Dering (1576).

Webster 1913