plaything: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “plaything” mean?
An object designed for play, especially a toy for children.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An object designed for play, especially a toy for children.
A person or thing treated as a source of amusement or pleasure without serious consideration, often implying triviality or lack of respect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply triviality or disrespect when referring to people.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but overall low frequency in both.
Grammar
How to Use “plaything” in a Sentence
plaything of [someone]plaything for [children]treat as a playthingregard as a playthingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; if so, metaphorically for products or acquisitions treated as novelties without strategic value.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, or child development to discuss objects in play therapy or social dynamics.
Everyday
Less common in casual speech; 'toy' is preferred for objects, while 'plaything' may sound formal or literary.
Technical
In toy manufacturing or educational research, referring to specific play objects or metaphors in discourse analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plaything”
- Using 'plaything' as a verb (e.g., 'to plaything' is incorrect); it is only a noun.
- Confusing it with 'plaything' as a compound adjective, which is not standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is less common than 'toy' and is often used in formal, literary, or metaphorical contexts.
Yes, it can metaphorically refer to adults who are treated without seriousness or as objects of amusement, often with a negative connotation.
'Toy' is neutral and common for objects, while 'plaything' can sound more formal or carry implications of triviality, especially when referring to people.
Use it primarily as a noun for objects or metaphorical references to people; avoid verb forms and ensure context matches its formal or literary register.
An object designed for play, especially a toy for children.
Plaything is usually formal/literary in register.
Plaything: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpleɪθɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpleɪθɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a plaything of fate”
- “mere plaything of the gods”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'play' + 'thing' – a thing meant for play, like a toy.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE TOYS, where individuals can be seen as playthings in games of power or amusement.
Practice
Quiz
What is a key extended meaning of 'plaything'?