toy with

phrasal-verb
UK: /tɔɪ wɪð/
US: /tɔɪ wɪθ/

  1. To consider something lightly or not seriously.

    1. I like to toy with ideas before making a decision.
    2. She tends to toy with different career paths but never commits fully to one.

  2. To treat someone's feelings or emotions without sincerity; to manipulate someone emotionally.

    1. Don't toy with her affections if you don't care about her.
    2. He knew he was wrong to toy with her emotions, but he couldn't help himself.

  3. To play with or handle something idly or without purpose.

    1. He likes to toy with his pen while he's thinking.
    2. She began to toy with the ring on her finger, lost in thought during the long meeting.

Synonyms

dally with play with trifle with tease
toy with verb

  1. To consider something, but not very seriously.

    1. I toy with the idea of traveling abroad.
    2. They toy with the plan to expand their business next year, but funding is unsure.

  2. To not treat someone or something with the seriousness it deserves.

    1. He shouldn't toy with such important responsibilities.
    2. She realized he was toying with her trust, and she felt betrayed and deeply hurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "toy with" in English means: To consider something lightly or not seriously., To treat someone's feelings or emotions without sincerity; to manipulate someone emotionally., To play with or handle something idly or without purpose..

The phonetic transcription of "toy with" is /tɔɪ wɪð/ in British English and /tɔɪ wɪθ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "toy with": dally with, play with, trifle with, tease.

Example usage of "toy with": "I like to toy with ideas before making a decision.". More examples on the page.