toy
/tɔɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /tɔɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtȯi/ (ame, mw)
toy — noun
- toysingular
- toysplural
1. a physical item, such as a doll, a ball, or a building set, that children play w
a physical item, such as a doll, a ball, or a building set, that children play with for fun.
Christopher picked up every toy in his room before dinner.
collocation: pick up toys / put away toys
The little girl carried her favourite toy elephant everywhere she went.
Amihan's grandmother bought a wooden toy train for her birthday.
The toddler laughed every time the toy duck squeaked in the bath.
- tool
a tool is used for practical work, not for play
文法句型
a + toy
toy + noun (toy car, toy store)
用法筆記
Frequently used as a modifier before another noun (toy car, toy shop, toy box) to describe items meant for children's play.
常見錯誤
2. something that an adult buys or owns for enjoyment rather than for practical nee
something that an adult buys or owns for enjoyment rather than for practical need — for example, a drone, a high-end camera, or a vintage car.
Vivek spent the weekend flying his new drone — his favourite adult toy.
informal register: adult toy
Karim's old motorcycle was a fun toy he enjoyed fixing up.
Elena jokingly called her espresso machine her most expensive kitchen toy.
Our office manager calls the new laser cutter his favourite work toy.
- gadget
focuses on electronic novelty; less emotional than toy
- hobby item
more neutral; lacks the self-deprecating tone of toy
- necessity
something required for daily life, not optional
文法句型
someone's + toy
toy + noun (toy drone)
用法筆記
This sense carries a mildly playful or self-aware tone. The speaker acknowledges the item is not essential. Often used with a possessive (his toy, my new toy).
toy — adjective
- toypositive
- toyercomparative
- toyestsuperlative
1. relating to a dog breed that stays very small, such as a toy poodle or toy spani
relating to a dog breed that stays very small, such as a toy poodle or toy spaniel, and is bred mainly to be a companion animal.
Hannah adopted a toy poodle that weighs under three kilograms.
attribute + breed: toy poodle
Toy breeds often need extra care because their bones are so delicate.
plural: toy breeds as noun phrase
The vet gave Rachid special advice on feeding his toy spaniel puppy.
A retired teacher in our building owns three toy terriers that travel with her.
- standard
the regular size of a breed, e.g. standard poodle vs. toy poodle
文法句型
toy + breed name (toy poodle, toy spaniel)
用法筆記
This adjective only appears before a dog-breed name (toy poodle, toy terrier). It is not used to describe other small animals, such as cats or rabbits.
常見錯誤
toy — verb
- toypresent simple I / you / we / they
- toys3rd person singular
- toying-ing form
- toyedpast simple
1. to touch, move, or think about something in a casual or careless way, without fu
to touch, move, or think about something in a casual or careless way, without full concentration or serious intention.
Ryo toyed with the idea of quitting his job but never actually applied.
toy with + abstract noun (idea, thought)
Eve sat at the table toying with her fork, not eating a single bite.
toy with + physical object (fork, pen, food)
The CEO has been toying with a proposal to open an office in Vietnam.
During the lecture, a student toyed with a paperclip instead of taking notes.
- fiddle with
more physical and nervous; less about ideas, more about restless hand movements
- play with
more general; can be neutral or childlike, while 'toy with' implies casualness or lack of seriousness
- dabble in
more about activities or hobbies; suggests light involvement over time
- commit to
to dedicate effort and attention seriously
文法句型
toy with + object (toy with a pen, toy with an idea)
用法筆記
Always followed by 'with' — the object can be physical (a pen, her hair) or abstract (an idea, a plan). The tone suggests the action is not done with full effort or commitment.
常見錯誤
2. to show romantic or sexual interest in someone in a way that is not sincere, wit
to show romantic or sexual interest in someone in a way that is not sincere, without caring about their feelings.
Talia knew she was only toying with him and never planned to stay.
toy with + person (as direct object of 'with')
Elena warned her friend not to toy with Pedro's affections if she was not serious.
toy with + affections / feelings
Christopher felt hurt when he realised his date had been toying with him all month.
A neighbour accused her ex-boyfriend of toying with her emotions for several months.
- play with someone's feelings
more explicit about the emotional harm; more common in everyday speech
- lead someone on
focuses on giving false hope; similar level of seriousness
- be sincere with
to show honest romantic interest
文法句型
toy with + someone's feelings
toy with + person
用法筆記
Always followed by 'with'. The object is a person or their emotions (feelings, affections). Unlike verb sense 1, the object here is a sentient being, not an object or idea — this creates a morally negative tone suggesting manipulation or insincerity.