plaything

/'pleiθiɳ/

Thân thiện

A child happily shares her favorite plaything with a friend.

Definition

Noun: An object, typically a small item, that is specifically made or used for amusement, entertainment, or recreation, especially by a child. It is an artifact designed to be played with.

Usage

The word "plaything" is a countable noun. It refers to a physical object intended for play. While it often refers to children's toys, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that is treated lightly or manipulatively for someone else's amusement.

Examples

• The child's favorite plaything was a simple wooden train.
• The room was filled with colorful playthings.
• (Metaphorical) He felt like a mere plaything in their political games.

Advanced Usage

• "To be/become a plaything of (someone/something)": To be treated as an object to be used for amusement or manipulated, without regard for one's own feelings or autonomy.
  • The small nation did not want to become a plaything of the superpowers.
• "Plaything of fate/fortune": A person whose life is controlled by unpredictable and often cruel external forces.
  • In the novel, the protagonist sees himself as a helpless plaything of fate.

Variants and Related Words

• Toy (n): The most common and direct synonym for "plaything." While often interchangeable, "toy" is more frequent in everyday language.
• Game (n): An activity for amusement, often with rules. A "game" is an activity, while a "plaything" is an object used in that activity.
• Bauble (n): A small, inexpensive trinket or ornament. It can imply something showy but of little value, sometimes used as a plaything.
• Trinket (n): A small ornament or item of jewelry, often of little value. Can sometimes be used as a plaything.

Synonyms

• Toy
• Game (when referring to a physical object like a board game)
• Doll (specific type)
• Puzzle (specific type)

Antonyms

• Tool
• Implement
• Instrument
• Necessity

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A mere plaything: Emphasizes that something or someone is considered insignificant and only useful for amusement.
  • To the giant corporation, our small startup was a mere plaything.
• Plaything of the gods: A classical literary concept describing a human whose life is arbitrarily controlled by divine beings for their entertainment.
  • The tragic hero was but a plaything of the gods.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an artifact designed to be played with

Từ đồng nghĩa

• toy