Toying Meaning in English

word · lemma: toy

US

ˈtɔɪɪŋ

TOY-ing

UK

tˈɔɪɪŋ

TOY-ing

Definition

'Toying' means playing or fiddling with something in a casual or not very serious way. It can also mean considering an idea without being committed.

Usage & Nuances

'Toying' is often used with 'with' ('toying with an idea'), meaning to consider something without commitment. More figurative than literal; avoid using 'toying' for physical toy play by children. It can imply teasing or carelessness.

• Spanish: jugar con - juguetear
• Portuguese (BR): brincar com - brincar (figurativamente)
• Portuguese (PT): brincar com - brincar (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 玩弄 - 考虑（但不认真）
• Chinese (Traditional): 玩弄 - 考慮（但不認真）
• Hindi: खेलना (के साथ) - हल्के में लेना
• Arabic: يعبث بـ - يلهو بـ
• Bengali: ঘাঁটানো - খেলা করা (নন-ছোটদের জন্য)
• Russian: вертеть - играть (чем-то в руках) - подумывать (о чём-то не всерьёз)
• Japanese: いじる - 軽く考える
• Vietnamese: nghịch - cân nhắc (không nghiêm túc)
• Korean: 만지작거리다 - 가볍게 생각하다
• Turkish: oynamak (ciddiyetsizce) - düşünmek (ciddiyet olmadan)
• Urdu: کھیلنا (ہلکے انداز میں) - غور کرنا (غیر سنجیدہ طور پر)
• Indonesian: memainkan - mempertimbangkan (tanpa sungguh-sungguh)

Example Sentences

He was toying with his pen during the meeting.

basic

I am toying with the idea of moving abroad.

basic

The cat was toying with the mouse.

basic

She's toying with her food, not really eating anything.

natural

Are you toying with my feelings or do you mean it?

natural

I've been toying with quitting my job, but I'm not sure yet.

natural