• Toy

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /tɔɪ/
    • Rhymes: -ɔɪ

    Origin

    From Middle English toye ("amorous play, piece of fun or entertainment"), probably from Middle Dutch toy, tuyg ("tools, apparatus, utensil, ornament") as in Dutch speel-tuig ("play-thing, toy"), from Old Dutch *tiug, from Proto-Germanic *tiugiją ("stuff, matter, device", literally "that which is drawn"), from Proto-Germanic *teuhaną ("to lead, bring, pull"), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- ("to pull, lead"). Cognate with German Spielzeug ("toy"), Danish legetøj ("play-thing, toy"). Related to tug, tow.

    Full definition of toy

    Noun

    toy

    (plural toys)
    1. Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child. from 16th c.
    2. A thing of little importance or value; a trifle. from 16th c.
      • Abr. AbbotThey exchange for knives, glasses, and such toys, great abundance of gold and pearl.
    3. A simple, light piece of music, written especially for the virginal. 16th-17th c.
    4. (obsolete) Love play, amorous dalliance; fondling. 16th-18th c.
      • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.i:Then seemed him his Lady by him lay,
        And to him playnd, how that false winged boy,
        Her chast hart had subdewd, to learne Dame pleasures toy.
    5. (obsolete) A vague fancy, a ridiculous idea or notion; a whim. 16th-17th c.
      • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, vol 1., III.i.2:Though they do talk with you, and seem to be otherwise employed, and to your thinking very intent and busy, still that toy runs in their mind, that fear, that suspicion, that abuse, that jealousy ...
      • SpenserTo fly about playing their wanton toys.
      • Beaumont and FletcherWhat if a toy take 'em in the heels now, and they all run away.
      • DraytonNor light and idle toys my lines may vainly swell.
    6. (slang, derogatory) An inferior graffiti artist.
      • 2009, Gregory J. Snyder, Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground (page 40)It is incorrect to say that toys tag and masters piece; toys just do bad tags, bad throw-ups, and bad pieces.
      • 2011, Adam Melnyk, Visual Orgasm: The Early Years of Canadian Graffiti (page 45)I was a toy until I met Sear, who moved here from Toronto and showed me the book Subway Art.
    7. (obsolete) An old story; a silly tale.
    8. (Scotland, archaic) A headdress of linen or wool that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes; called also toy mutch.
      • Sir Walter ScottHaving, moreover, put on her clean toy, rokelay, and scarlet plaid.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Terms derived from toy (noun)

    Verb

    1. To play (with).to toy with a piece of food on one's plateFigo is toying with the English defence.
    2. To ponder or consider.I have been toying with the idea of starting my own business.
    3. (slang) To stimulate with a sex toy.
      • 2013, Jonathan Everest, Lady Loverly's ChattelHe could see her hand go to her slit, and soon she was toying herself along, breathing heavily.
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