token

Something that shows or represents a feeling, fact, or idea.

• The flowers were a token of thanks.
• They shook hands as a token of friendship.
• She offered a small gift as a token of respect.

How to use it: a token of something (Please accept this gift as a token of our thanks.)

Similar words: sign, symbol

Common phrases: token of appreciation, token of respect

A small disc or paper voucher used instead of money to pay for something.

• Put a token in the machine.
• The children bought tokens for the arcade games.
• You can exchange this token for a free drink.

Similar words: voucher, chip

Common phrases: bus token, gift token

A small object that represents a player or character in a board game.

• Choose a token before we start.
• Move your token three squares forward.
• Each player placed a token on the board.

Similar words: piece, counter

Common phrases: game token, move a token

An object kept to help you remember a person, place, or experience.

• She kept the ring as a token.
• The little stone was a token of their first trip.
• He treasured these tokens of his childhood.

How to use it: a token of something (She kept the shell as a token of their holiday.)

Similar words: keepsake, memento, souvenir

Common phrases: precious token, token of something

Done mainly to appear helpful or meet a requirement, with little real effort or effect.

• He made a token effort to help.
• The company offered only a token apology.
• Residents dismissed the meeting as a token gesture.

Similar words: perfunctory, symbolic

Common phrases: token gesture, token effort

Small in amount and intended mainly to show a feeling or intention.

• They charged a token fee.
• She accepted a token payment for her work.
• Members pay a token amount each year.

Similar words: nominal, symbolic

Common phrases: token payment, token fee

Included as one of very few from a group, mainly to make an organization seem fair and varied.

• She disliked being the token woman.
• The cast included one token minority character.
• They wanted real influence, rather than token representation on the board.

Common phrases: token woman, token minority member