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
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
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
The data is more current than the government’s monthly retail sales report but still could be flattered by Americans buying clothing, toys or other items before tariffs kick in.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
Crystal Palace After toying in the past with the idea of returning to the club’s original home a couple of miles across south London in Crystal Palace Park, plans to redevelop Selhurst Park (an idea first floated by then chairman Ron Noades in the 1990s) were announced in 2017.
—Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Synthetic chemicals called phthalates, found in consumer products such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and children’s toys, may have contributed to more than 10% of all global mortality from heart disease in 2018 among men and women ages 55 through 64, a new study found.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
The data is more current than the government’s monthly retail sales report but still could be flattered by Americans buying clothing, toys or other items before tariffs kick in.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
—James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
Crystal Palace After toying in the past with the idea of returning to the club’s original home a couple of miles across south London in Crystal Palace Park, plans to redevelop Selhurst Park (an idea first floated by then chairman Ron Noades in the 1990s) were announced in 2017.
—Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Toy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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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