ENGLISH THESAURUS & DICTIONARY

play

noun · verb

Words like play

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MEANING & USAGE

Definitions & examples

01noun

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

“he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway”

02noun

a theatrical performance of a drama

“the play lasted two hours”

03noun

a preset plan of action in team sports

“the coach drew up the plays for her team”

04noun

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

“he made a great maneuver”

“the runner was out on a play by the shortstop”

48 more meanings

05noun

a state in which action is feasible

“the ball was still in play”

“insiders said the company's stock was in play”

06noun

utilization or exercise

“the play of the imagination”

07noun

an attempt to get something

“they made a futile play for power”

“he made a bid to gain attention”

08noun

activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

“Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child”

09noun

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

“rain stopped play in the 4th inning”

10noun

the removal of constraints

“he gave free rein to his impulses”

“they gave full play to the artist's talent”

11noun

a weak and tremulous light

“the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers”

“the play of light on the water”

12noun

verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

“he became a figure of fun”

“he said it in sport”

13noun

movement or space for movement

“there was too much play in the steering wheel”

14noun

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

“it was all done in play”

“their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly”

15noun

(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

“it is my turn”

“it is still my play”

16noun

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

“his gambling cost him a fortune”

“there was heavy play at the blackjack table”

17noun

the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

18verb

participate in games or sport

“We played hockey all afternoon”

“play cards”

19verb

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”

20verb

play on an instrument

“The band played all night long”

21verb

play a role or part

“Gielgud played Hamlet”

“She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role”

22verb

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”

23verb

replay (as a melody)

“Play it again, Sam”

“She played the third movement very beautifully”

24verb

perform music on (a musical instrument)

“He plays the flute”

“Can you play on this old recorder?”

25verb

pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

“He acted the idiot”

“She plays deaf when the news are bad”

26verb

move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

“The spotlights played on the politicians”

27verb

bet or wager (money)

“He played $20 on the new horse”

“She plays the races”

28verb

engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

“On weekends I play”

“The students all recreate alike”

29verb

pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

“Let's play like I am mommy”

“Play cowboy and Indians”

30verb

emit recorded sound

“The tape was playing for hours”

“the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered”

31verb

perform on a certain location

“The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16”

“She has been playing on Broadway for years”

32verb

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”

33verb

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”

34verb

behave in a certain way

“play safe”

“play it safe”

35verb

cause to emit recorded audio or video

“They ran the tapes over and over again”

“I'll play you my favorite record”

36verb

manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

“She played nervously with her wedding ring”

“Don't fiddle with the screws”

37verb

use to one's advantage

“She plays on her clients' emotions”

38verb

consider not very seriously

“He is trifling with her”

“She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania”

39verb

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”

40verb

behave carelessly or indifferently

“Play about with a young girl's affection”

41verb

cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

“The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack”

42verb

perform on a stage or theater

“She acts in this play”

“He acted in ‘Julius Caesar’”

43verb

be performed or presented for public viewing

“What's playing in the local movie theater?”

“‘Cats’ has been playing on Broadway for many years”

44verb

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

“I cannot work a miracle”

“wreak havoc”

45verb

discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

“play water from a hose”

“The fountains played all day”

46verb

make bets

“Play the races”

“play the casinos in Trouville”

47verb

stake on the outcome of an issue

“I bet $100 on that new horse”

“She played all her money on the dark horse”

48verb

shoot or hit in a particular manner

“She played a good backhand last night”

49verb

use or move

“I had to play my queen”

50verb

employ in a game or in a specific position

“They played him on first base”

51verb

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

“Princeton plays Yale this weekend”

“Charlie likes to play Mary”

52verb

exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

“play a hooked fish”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗

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Expressions with “play”

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Explore multiword dictionary entries containing this word. Each has its own meanings and related words.

play up play off play out draw play foul play play back play down play list