A toy is an object designed for play, especially for children. Toys come in endless varieties: dolls, action figures, building blocks, board games, stuffed animals, remote-controlled cars, puzzles, and sports equipment. Some toys are simple, like a ball or a jump rope. Others are complex, like elaborate model train sets or intricate construction kits.

The word can also be a verb meaning to handle something idly or playfully. You might toy with your pencil during a boring class, flipping it between your fingers without really thinking about it. When someone toys with an idea, they're considering it casually, turning it over in their mind without committing to it yet.

Toys serve a purpose beyond simple fun. Through play, children learn problem-solving skills, practice creativity, and develop their imaginations. A set of building blocks teaches spatial reasoning. A board game teaches strategy and patience. Even something as basic as a ball teaches coordination and physics.

The phrase toy with someone's feelings means to treat their emotions carelessly, the way you might absentmindedly fidget with an object. This usage suggests a lack of seriousness or respect, treating something important as if it were merely a plaything.