plural toys
1
a
: something for a child to play with
The children played with their toys.
a plush/stuffed toy
plastic/wooden/electronic toys
a bath toy
—often used before another nouna toy car
a toy store/company/maker
a large toy collection
b
: something resembling a child's toy especially in providing amusement or entertainment
a dog's chew toy
Among Greg Norman's toys is a 61-foot sportfishing boat …—
Austin Murphy
Austin Murphy2
: something that is or appears to be small
The duster, a simple aerial crop dusting plane, is a toy in comparison to Delta's fleet now.—Bianca Theodore
Bianca Theodore
especially
: a small animal (as of a small breed or variety) see also toy fox terrier, toy manchester terrier, toy poodle
3
: someone or something that can be toyed with
He's just her toy. = He's just a toy in her hands.
I'm referring to unilateral economic sanctions. This instrument of foreign policy has recently become a toy in the hands of our politicians …—Oscar Wyatt
Oscar Wyatt4
5
Scotland
: a headdress of linen or woolen hanging down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women of the lower classes
toyed; toying; toys
1
: to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose
toyed with the idea
2
: to amuse oneself as if with a toy : play
they're just toying with him
3
: to engage in flirtation
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
Synonyms
Examples of toy in a Sentence
Noun
Please put away your toys.
He bought a new TV and a few other toys.
Her latest toy is a sports car.
Your car is just a toy compared to this truck.
Verb
the cat toyed with the mouse it had caught, batting it about
likes to toy with men whom she has no intention of actually dating
Adjective
Put your toys back in the toy box.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The process repeats until finally Ryan walks through the door, which of course sends Romeo into a happy frenzy, jumping up, wagging his tail and grabbing his favorite toy.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 21 Aug. 2019
In recent seasons, the fashion industry has toyed between the chunky combat and the second skin; the western-inspired and the equestrian; the reimagined welly and the distressed biker—we’ve even witnessed the resurgence of the Chelsea boot thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Loewe.
—Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024
Good Housekeeping, 18 Nov. 2022
While some of these toys and non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites.
—Good Housekeeping, 13 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for toy 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
There were no children among the migrants, but one man had a backpack filled with toys, children’s clothes and diapers.
—Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The process repeats until finally Ryan walks through the door, which of course sends Romeo into a happy frenzy, jumping up, wagging his tail and grabbing his favorite toy.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
The faster chip and larger RAM options open a world of possibilities that the Pi community is just beginning to toy around with.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 21 Aug. 2019
In recent seasons, the fashion industry has toyed between the chunky combat and the second skin; the western-inspired and the equestrian; the reimagined welly and the distressed biker—we’ve even witnessed the resurgence of the Chelsea boot thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Loewe.
—Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
While non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites.
—Good Housekeeping, 18 Nov. 2022
While some of these toys and non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites.
—Good Housekeeping, 13 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for toy
Dictionary Entries Near toy
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toy. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
toy
2 of 2 verb
: to amuse oneself as if with a toy
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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