plaything

[ pley-thing ]

noun

1. a thing to play with; toy.
2. a person who is used capriciously and selfishly by another.

plaything

/ ˈpleɪˌθɪŋ /

noun

1. a toy
2. a person regarded or treated as a toy

   he thinks she is just his plaything

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaything¹

First recorded in 1665–75; play + thing ¹

Example Sentences

But for Ani, this reduces her to an object, a plaything for men to have fun with and abandon as soon as they’re finished.

From Salon

“Looking back, I believe I was recruited purely as a potential sex partner or plaything for Al Fayed, hence the questions at the interview to establish if I was a virgin,” Margot says.

From BBC

“Mohamed Al Fayed was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” she says, adding that all the staff at Harrods were his “playthings”.

From BBC

“Monster High” is one of many film projects in the Mattel pipeline derived from popular playthings, including American Girl dolls, Hot Wheels, the Magic 8 Ball, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and Polly Pocket.

From Los Angeles Times

Regarded by conservative politicians and other critics as playthings of the liberal elite, electric vehicles are fast becoming more accessible.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bauble
• gadget
• pastime