Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.
"The toddler spent all afternoon pushing her new red toy car across the living room rug."
In plain English: A toy is an object made for playing with, usually designed to be fun and easy to use.
"The little boy played happily with his new toy car in the garden."
To play (with) in an idle or desultory way.
"The toddler idly toyed with his mother's ring, spinning it around her finger for a few minutes before losing interest."
In plain English: To toy with something means to handle it playfully without any serious intention of using it properly.
"The children spent hours playing and laughing while they toyed with their new building blocks."
Usage: Use this verb to describe handling objects with little serious purpose, such as when someone idly fiddles with their keys while waiting. Avoid using it if you mean engaging deeply in a game or activity that requires focus and effort.
A surname.
"The local historian mentioned that Mr. Toy was a prominent figure in the town's early development."
The word "toy" entered English in the Middle Ages with a sense of amorous play before shifting to mean any piece of fun or entertainment. It ultimately traces its roots back through Dutch and Germanic languages to an ancient Indo-European root meaning "to pull."