English to English

play
(pl/eI/ )

noun (n)

  • a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage(noun.communication)
    Example:
    He wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway.
    Synonym:
    drama, dramatic play
    source: wordnet30
  • a theatrical performance of a drama(noun.communication)
    Example:
    The play lasted two hours.
    source: wordnet30
  • a preset plan of action in team sports(noun.act)
    Example:
    The coach drew up the plays for her team.
    source: wordnet30
  • a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill(noun.act)
    Example:
    The runner was out on a play by the shortstop.
    Synonym:
    maneuver, manoeuvre
    source: wordnet30
  • a state in which action is feasible(noun.state)
    Example:
    The ball was still in play.
    Insiders said the company's stock was in play.
    source: wordnet30
  • utilization or exercise(noun.act)
    Example:
    The play of the imagination.
    source: wordnet30
  • an attempt to get something(noun.act)
    Example:
    They made a futile play for power.
    Synonym:
    bid
    source: wordnet30
  • activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules(noun.act)
    Example:
    Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child.
    source: wordnet30
  • (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds(noun.time)
    Example:
    Rain stopped play in the 4th inning.
    Synonym:
    period of play, playing period
    source: wordnet30
  • the removal of constraints(noun.state)
    Example:
    They gave full play to the artist's talent.
    Synonym:
    free rein
    source: wordnet30
  • a weak and tremulous light(noun.event)
    Example:
    The play of light on the water.
    Synonym:
    shimmer
    source: wordnet30
  • verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)(noun.communication)
    Synonym:
    fun, sport
    source: wordnet30
  • movement or space for movement(noun.attribute)
    Example:
    There was too much play in the steering wheel.
    Synonym:
    looseness
    Antonym:
    tautness, tightness
    source: wordnet30
  • gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement(noun.act)
    Example:
    It was all done in play.
    Synonym:
    caper, frolic, gambol, romp
    source: wordnet30
  • (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession(noun.act)
    Example:
    It is still my play.
    Synonym:
    turn
    source: wordnet30
  • the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)(noun.act)
    Example:
    There was heavy play at the blackjack table.
    Synonym:
    gambling, gaming
    source: wordnet30
  • the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully(noun.act)
    Synonym:
    swordplay
    source: wordnet30
  • Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.(noun)
    source: webster1913

verb (v)

  • participate in games or sport(verb.competition)
    Example:
    We played hockey all afternoon.
    Play cards.
    Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches.
    source: wordnet30
  • act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome(verb.social)
    Example:
    This factor played only a minor part in his decision.
    This development played into her hands.
    I played no role in your dismissal.
    source: wordnet30
  • play on an instrument(verb.creation)
    Example:
    The band played all night long.
    source: wordnet30
  • play a role or part(verb.creation)
    Example:
    Gielgud played Hamlet.
    She played the servant to her husband's master.
    Synonym:
    act, represent
    source: wordnet30
  • be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children(verb.social)
    Example:
    The kids were playing outside all day.
    I used to play with trucks as a little girl.
    source: wordnet30
  • replay (as a melody)(verb.creation)
    Example:
    Play it again, Sam.
    She played the third movement very beautifully.
    Synonym:
    spiel
    source: wordnet30
  • perform music on (a musical instrument)(verb.creation)
    Example:
    He plays the flute.
    Can you play on this old recorder?.
    source: wordnet30
  • pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind(verb.body)
    Example:
    She plays deaf when the news are bad.
    Synonym:
    act, act as
    source: wordnet30
  • move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly(verb.motion)
    Example:
    The spotlights played on the politicians.
    source: wordnet30
  • bet or wager (money)(verb.competition)
    Example:
    He played $20 on the new horse.
    She plays the races.
    source: wordnet30
  • engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion(verb.social)
    Example:
    On weekends I play.
    Synonym:
    recreate
    source: wordnet30
  • pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity(verb.creation)
    Example:
    Let's play like I am mommy.
    Play cowboy and Indians.
    source: wordnet30
  • emit recorded sound(verb.creation)
    Example:
    The tape was playing for hours.
    The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered.
    source: wordnet30
  • perform on a certain location(verb.creation)
    Example:
    The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16.
    She has been playing on Broadway for years.
    source: wordnet30
  • put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game(verb.competition)
    Example:
    He is playing his cards close to his chest.
    The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory.
    source: wordnet30
  • engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously(verb.body)
    Example:
    They played games on their opponents.
    Play the stock market.
    Play with her feelings.
    Synonym:
    toy
    source: wordnet30
  • behave in a certain way(verb.social)
    Example:
    Play safe.
    Play it safe.
    Play fair.
    Synonym:
    make
    source: wordnet30
  • cause to emit recorded audio or video(verb.creation)
    Example:
    I'll play you my favorite record.
    He never tires of playing that video.
    Synonym:
    run
    source: wordnet30
  • manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination(verb.contact)
    Example:
    She played nervously with her wedding ring.
    He played with the idea of running for the Senate.
    Synonym:
    diddle, fiddle, toy
    source: wordnet30
  • use to one's advantage(verb.consumption)
    Example:
    She plays on her clients' emotions.
    Synonym:
    avail
    source: wordnet30
  • consider not very seriously(verb.cognition)
    Example:
    She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania.
    Synonym:
    dally, trifle
    source: wordnet30
  • be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way(verb.stative)
    Example:
    This speech didn't play well with the American public.
    His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee.
    source: wordnet30
  • behave carelessly or indifferently(verb.social)
    Example:
    Play about with a young girl's affection.
    Synonym:
    dally, flirt, toy
    source: wordnet30
  • cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space(verb.motion)
    Example:
    The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack.
    source: wordnet30
  • perform on a stage or theater(verb.creation)
    Example:
    She acts in this play.
    I played in `A Christmas Carol'.
    Synonym:
    act, playact, roleplay
    source: wordnet30
  • be performed or presented for public viewing(verb.creation)
    Example:
    What's playing in the local movie theater?.
    `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years.
    source: wordnet30
  • cause to happen or to occur as a consequence(verb.creation)
    Example:
    Play a joke.
    Synonym:
    bring, make for, work, wreak
    source: wordnet30
  • discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream(verb.contact)
    Example:
    Play water from a hose.
    The fountains played all day.
    source: wordnet30
  • make bets(verb.competition)
    Example:
    Play the races.
    Play the casinos in Trouville.
    source: wordnet30
  • stake on the outcome of an issue(verb.competition)
    Example:
    She played all her money on the dark horse.
    Synonym:
    bet, wager
    source: wordnet30
  • shoot or hit in a particular manner(verb.competition)
    Example:
    She played a good backhand last night.
    source: wordnet30
  • use or move(verb.competition)
    Example:
    I had to play my queen.
    source: wordnet30
  • employ in a game or in a specific position(verb.competition)
    Example:
    They played him on first base.
    source: wordnet30
  • contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle(verb.competition)
    Example:
    Princeton plays Yale this weekend.
    Charlie likes to play Mary.
    Synonym:
    encounter, meet, take on
    source: wordnet30
  • exhaust by allowing to pull on the line(verb.body)
    Example:
    Play a hooked fish.
    source: wordnet30
  • To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.(verb)
    source: webster1913
  • To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.(verb)
    source: webster1913
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