play
noun
1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
- he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Similar word(s): drama
Definition categories: communication
2. a theatrical performance of a drama
- the play lasted two hours
Definition categories: communication, show
3. a preset plan of action in team sports
- the coach drew up the plays for her team
Definition categories: act
4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
- the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Similar word(s): maneuver, manoeuvre
Definition categories: act, motion, move, movement
5. a state in which action is feasible
- the ball was still in play
- insiders said the company's stock was in play
Definition categories: state, action, activeness, activity
6. utilization or exercise
- the play of the imagination
Definition categories: act, employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization
7. an attempt to get something
- they made a futile play for power
Similar word(s): bid
Definition categories: act, attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
- Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Definition categories: act, diversion, recreation
9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
- rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Definition categories: time, amount, measure, quantity
10. the removal of constraints
- they gave full play to the artist's talent
Definition categories: state, freedom
11. a weak and tremulous light
- the play of light on the water
Similar word(s): shimmer
Definition categories: event, alteration, change, modification
12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
Definition categories: communication, humor, humour, wit, witticism, wittiness
13. movement or space for movement
- there was too much play in the steering wheel
Similar word(s): looseness
Definition categories: attribute, movability, movableness
14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
- it was all done in play
Similar word(s): caper, frolic, gambol, romp
Definition categories: act, diversion, recreation
15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
- it is still my play
Similar word(s): turn
Definition categories: act, activity
16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
- there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Similar word(s): gambling, gaming
Definition categories: act, diversion, recreation, vice
17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
Similar word(s): swordplay
Definition categories: act, action
Sentences with play as a noun:
- We saw a two-act play in the theatre.
- No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it.
- Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous.
verb
1. participate in games or sport
- We played hockey all afternoon
- play cards
- Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Definition categories: competition, compete, contend, vie
2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
- This factor played only a minor part in his decision
- This development played into her hands
- I played no role in your dismissal
Definition categories: social, act, move
3. play on an instrument
- The band played all night long
Definition categories: creation, perform
4. play a role or part
- Gielgud played Hamlet
- She played the servant to her husband's master
Similar word(s): act, represent
Definition categories: creation
5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
- The kids were playing outside all day
- I used to play with trucks as a little girl
Definition categories: social, act
6. replay (as a melody)
- Play it again, Sam
- She played the third movement very beautifully
Similar word(s): spiel
Definition categories: creation
7. perform music on (a musical instrument)
- He plays the flute
- Can you play on this old recorder?
Definition categories: creation, sound
8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
- She plays deaf when the news are bad
Similar word(s): act
Definition categories: body, act, behave, do
9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
- The spotlights played on the politicians
Definition categories: motion, go, locomote, move, travel
10. bet or wager (money)
- He played $20 on the new horse
- She plays the races
Definition categories: competition, gamble
11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
- On weekends I play
Similar word(s): recreate
Definition categories: social
12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
- Let's play like I am mommy
- Play cowboy and Indians
Definition categories: creation, assume, feign, sham, simulate
13. emit recorded sound
- The tape was playing for hours
- the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
Definition categories: creation, sound
14. perform on a certain location
- The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
- She has been playing on Broadway for years
Definition categories: creation, perform
15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
- He is playing his cards close to his chest
- The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Definition categories: competition, deploy
16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
- They played games on their opponents
- play the stock market
- play with her feelings
Similar word(s): toy
Definition categories: body, act, behave, do
17. behave in a certain way
- play safe
- play it safe
- play fair
Definition categories: social, act, move
18. cause to emit recorded audio or video
- I'll play you my favorite record
- He never tires of playing that video
Similar word(s): run
Definition categories: creation
19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
- She played nervously with her wedding ring
- He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Similar word(s): diddle, fiddle, toy
Definition categories: contact, manipulate
20. use to one's advantage
- She plays on her clients' emotions
Definition categories: consumption, exploit, work
21. consider not very seriously
- She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Similar word(s): dally, trifle
Definition categories: cognition, consider, deal, take
22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
- This speech didn't play well with the American public
- His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
Definition categories: stative
23. behave carelessly or indifferently
- Play about with a young girl's affection
Similar word(s): dally, flirt, toy
Definition categories: social, act, move
24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
- The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Definition categories: motion, displace, move
25. perform on a stage or theater
- She acts in this play
- I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Similar word(s): act, playact, roleplay
Definition categories: creation, perform
26. be performed or presented for public viewing
- What's playing in the local movie theater?
- `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Definition categories: creation
27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
- play a joke
Similar word(s): bring, work, wreak
Definition categories: creation, create, make
28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
- play water from a hose
- The fountains played all day
Definition categories: contact, discharge
29. make bets
- Play the races
- play the casinos in Trouville
Definition categories: competition, bet, play, wager
30. stake on the outcome of an issue
- She played all her money on the dark horse
Definition categories: competition, gamble
31. shoot or hit in a particular manner
- She played a good backhand last night
Definition categories: competition, hit
32. use or move
- I had to play my queen
Definition categories: competition, apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize
33. employ in a game or in a specific position
- They played him on first base
Definition categories: competition, apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize
34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- Princeton plays Yale this weekend
- Charlie likes to play Mary
Similar word(s): encounter, meet
Definition categories: competition
35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
- play a hooked fish
Definition categories: body, beat, exhaust, tucker
Sentences with play as a verb:
- They played long and hard.
- He plays on three teams. Who's playing now? play football; play sports; play games
- He plays the King, and she's the Queen. No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory.
- I've practiced the piano off and on, and I still can't play very well.
- I'll play the piano and you sing. Can you play an instrument? We especially like to play jazz together. Play a song for me. Do you know how to play Für Elise? My son thinks he can play music.
- You can play the DVD now.
- His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow.
- to play a comedy
- to play tricks
- The fountain plays.
- to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump in a card game
- You played me!