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Glite Dictionary
toy terrier

toy terrier

1 3.7
A very small lively dog often kept as a pet
  • noun
  • /tɔɪ ˈtɛriər/
translation icon : terrier toy
  • The toy terrier barked excitedly when the guests arrived.

Examples

  • My toy terrier loves to play in the garden.

  • They decided to adopt a toy terrier because they wanted a small, energetic pet.

  • Her toy terrier loves chasing after tennis balls in the yard.

  • Have you seen a toy terrier before?

  • The little toy terrier loved to play fetch in the park.

  • My friend adopted a toy terrier that enjoys cuddling on the couch.

  • With its small size, the toy terrier is perfect for apartment living.

Synonyms

terrier
vstoy terrier
48 2.3

A small dog bred to hunt animals that live underground

is a very small lively companion form rather than the broader hunting group
toy
vstoy terrier
46 4.2

A very small dog kept mainly as a pet

is a lively small hunting-origin breed kept as companion not just any tiny breed
lapdog
vstoy terrier
18 3.0

A small dog that sits on someone's lap as a pet

is a lively small companion breed rather than a dog usually held or calm
toy dog
vstoy terrier
1 3.2

A very small dog that people breed and keep as a pet in homes

is a lively small hunting-origin breed kept as companion rather than bred as pet

How Big

toy terrier
1 3.7

Surface Forms

toy terrier singular
toy terriers plural

Morphology

toy + terrier

The meaning is directly compositional: 'toy' (very small/companion) modifies 'terrier' (a small, energetic dog breed), yielding 'a very small terrier kept as a pet'. This noun–noun compound follows a common and predictable English pattern familiar across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The name toy terrier comes from the idea of a very small terrier kept as a little companion, with toy meaning 'small' and terrier the type of dog. So toy terrier means a tiny, lively terrier kept as a pet.