Play Definition
play
noun
- a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage; "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
- a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"
- a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
- a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
- a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
- utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"
- an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
- activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
- (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
- the removal of constraints; "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
- a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
- 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"
- movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
- 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"
- (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
- 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"
- the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
verb
- participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
- 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"
- play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"
- play a role or part; "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
- 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"
- replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
- perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
- pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
- move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"
- bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
- engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
- pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
- emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
- perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
- 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"
- 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"; "toy with an idea"
- behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
- cause to emit recorded audio or video; "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"
- manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination; "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
- use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"
- consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
- 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"
- behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young girl's affection"
- cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
- perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
- be performed or presented for public viewing; "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
- cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
- discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
- make bets; "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
- stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
- shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"
- use or move; "I had to play my queen"
- employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"
- contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"
- exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked fish"
"Play" in song lyrics
See how play is used in real songs:
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"Deserve Oscars, for the role that they play"
1.4.0. Productions f/ Franky Botts, Molly-Q — Godfathers -
"Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play"
1.4.0. Productions f/ Lenore, Shawn Wigs — Yesterday -
"'Cause the A.G.S. don't play"
(2 Live Crew) — This is to Luke From the Posse
Words that rhyme with play
Usage tips for "play"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "play" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for play to find words that pair well.