# toy

/ˈtɔɪ/ (US) · /tˈɔɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/toy
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. child's plaything

noun · CEFR A2

an object that a child plays with, such as a doll or a model car.

For teachers: an object designed for a child to play with.

- The floor was covered in colorful toys after the birthday party.
- The charity collects donated toys every December to distribute to families who cannot afford gifts for their children.

### 2. miniature dog

noun · CEFR B2

a very small breed of dog.

For teachers: a dog belonging to a breed of very small size, often kept as a pet. Often used as a modifier.

- She prefers toy breeds because they are easier to keep in a small apartment.
- The kennel club categorizes the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua within the toy group due to their diminutive stature.

### 3. adult plaything

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

an object used for sexual pleasure.

For teachers: a shortened form of 'sex toy', referring to an object used for sexual stimulation.

- The shop on the corner sells various adult toys and lingerie.
- The couple decided to introduce toys into their private life to explore new sensations together.

### 4. to consider an idea

verb · CEFR B2

to think about an idea or a plan but not very seriously.

For teachers: to consider something casually or without a firm commitment. Intransitive; almost always takes the preposition 'with'.

- I am toying with the idea of moving to the countryside next year.
- The board of directors is currently toying with a merger proposal, though no formal negotiations have commenced.

Usage: Usually appears as 'toy with something'.

### 5. to play with an object

verb · CEFR B2

to move or touch something with your fingers because you are bored or nervous.

For teachers: to handle or move something idly or absentmindedly. Intransitive; takes the preposition 'with'.

- He sat at the table toying with his pen while he waited for the interview.
- She nervously toyed with her necklace as the judge prepared to read the final verdict.

Usage: Usually appears as 'toy with something'.

### 6. not for real use

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

describing something that is a small model or not powerful enough for real work.

For teachers: referring to a version of something that is simplified, miniature, or lacks the power required for professional or practical application.

- That little screwdriver is just a toy; you need a real tool for this job.
- The programmer dismissed the new software as a toy project that lacked the security features necessary for enterprise deployment.

## Examples

- The child left his favorite toy on the floor.
- He just bought a new drone, which he describes as his favorite expensive toy.
- While the device was originally marketed as a serious productivity tool, most consumers treated it as a high-tech toy for casual gaming.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.