toy

Meaning

1. Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.
2. A thing of little importance or value; a trifle.
3. A simple, light piece of music, written especially for the virginal.
4. Short for toy dog.
5. (obsolete) Love play, amorous dalliance; fondling.
6. (obsolete) A vague fancy, a ridiculous idea or notion; a whim.
7. (obsolete) An old story; a silly tale.
8. A headdress of linen or wool that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes.
9. A sex toy (object or device to give sexual pleasure).
10. (slang) An inferior graffiti artist.
11. (slang) A gun.
12. (slang) The penis.
13. (slang) The vagina.
14. (slang) A watch.
15. (slang) A small jar (about an inch across) used to hold prepared opium.
16. (slang) A small ball of opium (about the size of a pea).

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/tɔɪ/

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 *teugą (“stuff, matter, device, gear, lever”, literally “that which is drawn or pulled”), from Proto-Germanic *teuhaną (“to lead, bring, pull”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull, lead”). Cognate with German Zeug (“stuff”), Danish tøj (“stuff”). Related to tug, tow.