Definitions of PLAY [ɪ]

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Definition of 'PLAY'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) play
a dramatic composition; drama.

2.  play
a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

3.  play
activity, often spontaneous, engaged in for recreation, as by children.

4.  play
fun or jest, as opposed to earnest:
I said it merely in play.

5.  play
a pun.

6.  play
the action or conduct of a game:
the fourth inning of play.

7.  play
an act or instance of playing:
a play that cost us the match.

8.  play
manner or style of playing.

9.  play
one's turn to play.

10.  play
a playing for stakes; gambling.

11.  play
an often crafty maneuver:
a takeover play.

12.  play
an enterprise; venture.

13.  play
action of a specified kind:
foul play.

14.  play
action, activity, or operation:
the play of fancy.

15.  play
brisk, light, or changing movement or action:
the play of a fountain.

16.  play
elusive change:
the play of a searchlight against the night sky.

17.  play
a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.

18.  play
freedom of movement within a space.

19.  play
freedom or scope for activity:
full play of the mind.

20.  play
attention; coverage:
The scandal got a big play in the papers.

21.  play
an act or instance of being broadcast.

22. (v.t.) play
to portray; enact:
to play Macbeth.

23.  play
to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.).

24.  play
to act the part or character of in real life:
to play the fool; to play God.

25.  play
to act or sustain (a part):
Economics played a part in the decision.

26.  play
to give performances in:
to play the big cities.

27.  play
to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).

28.  play
to contend against in a game.

29.  play
to perform in (a specified position or role) in a game or competition:
to play center field.

30.  play
to employ in a game:
I played my highest card.

31.  play
to use as if in playing a game, esp. for one's own advantage:
He played his brothers against each other.

32.  play
to stake or wager, as in a game.

33.  play
to lay a wager or wagers on (something).

34.  play
to represent or imitate, as for recreation:
to play cowboys and Indians.

35.  play
to perform or be able to perform on (a musical instrument).

36.  play
to perform (music) on an instrument.

37.  play
to perform the music of (a composer).

38.  play
to cause to produce sound or pictures:
played the VCR.

39.  play
to perform or carry out, esp. as a sly or deceitful action:
to play tricks.

40.  play
to put into operation; act upon:
to play a hunch.

41.  play
to cause to move or change lightly or quickly:
to play lights on a fountain.

42.  play
to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action:
to play a hose on a fire.

43.  play
to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.

44.  play
to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently:
Play the flood photos on page one.

45.  play
to exploit or trade in:
to play the stock market.

46. (v.i.) play
to occupy oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.

47.  play
to do something that is not to be taken seriously; sport.

48.  play
to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often fol. by with).

49.  play
to take part in a game.

50.  play
to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.

51.  play
to conduct oneself or act in a specified way:
to play fair.

52.  play
to act on or as if on the stage; perform.

53.  play
to perform on a musical instrument.

54.  play
(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance.

55.  play
to give forth sound:
The radio played all night.

56.  play
to be performed or shown:
What's playing at the theater?

57.  play
to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a dramatic script.

58.  play
to be received; go over:
How will the proposal play with the public?

59.  play
to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.

60.  play
to move about lightly, quickly, or irregularly:
A smile played about her lips.

61.  play
to operate continuously or with repeated action.

62.  play
to comply; cooperate.

63.  play
play along,

64.  play
to cooperate or concur.

65.  play
to pretend to cooperate or concur.

66.  play
play around,

67.  play
to behave in a playful or frivolous manner.

68.  play
to have promiscuous or adulterous sexual relations.

69.  play
play at,

70.  play
to pretend to do or be.

71.  play
to do without seriousness.

72.  play
play down, to treat as of little importance; minimize.

73.  play
play off,

74.  play
to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie.

75.  play
to set (one person or thing) against another, usu. for one's own gain or advantage.

76.  play
play on or upon, to exploit the weaknesses of; take advantage of:
played on his generosity.

77.  play
play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize.

78.  play
play up to, to attempt to please or impress in order to gain the favor of.

79.  play
to employ stratagems to attract or gain.

80.  play
to date a number of persons during the same period of time.

Definition of 'PLAY'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) play, drama, dramatic play
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

2. (noun) play
a theatrical performance of a drama
"the play lasted two hours"

3. (noun) play
a preset plan of action in team sports
"the coach drew up the plays for her team"

4. (noun) maneuver, manoeuvre, play
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
"he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

5. (noun) play
a state in which action is feasible
"the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"

6. (noun) play
utilization or exercise
"the play of the imagination"

7. (noun) bid, play
an attempt to get something
"they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"

8. (noun) play, child's play
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

9. (noun) playing period, period of play, play
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

10. (noun) free rein, play
the removal of constraints
"he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"

11. (noun) shimmer, play
a weak and tremulous light
"the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"

12. (noun) fun, play, sport
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"

13. (noun) looseness, play
movement or space for movement
"there was too much play in the steering wheel"

14. (noun) play, frolic, romp, gambol, caper
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"

15. (noun) turn, play
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
"it is my turn"; "it is still my play"

16. (noun) gambling, gaming, 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"

17. (verb) play, swordplay
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

18. (verb) play
participate in games or sport
"We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"

19. (verb) play
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"

20. (verb) play
play on an instrument
"The band played all night long"

21. (verb) act, play, represent
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"

22. (verb) play
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"

23. (verb) play, spiel
replay (as a melody)
"Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"

24. (verb) play
perform music on (a musical instrument)
"He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"

25. (verb) act, play, act as
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
"He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

26. (verb) play
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
"The spotlights played on the politicians"

27. (verb) play
bet or wager (money)
"He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"

28. (verb) play, recreate
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
"On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"

29. (verb) play
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
"Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"

30. (verb) play
emit recorded sound
"The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"

31. (verb) play
perform on a certain location
"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"

32. (verb) play
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"

33. (verb) play, toy
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"

34. (verb) play
behave in a certain way
"play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"

35. (verb) play, run
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"

36. (verb) toy, fiddle, diddle, play
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"

37. (verb) play
use to one's advantage
"She plays on her clients' emotions"

38. (verb) dally, trifle, play
consider not very seriously
"He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"

39. (verb) play
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"

40. (verb) dally, toy, play, flirt
behave carelessly or indifferently
"Play about with a young girl's affection"

41. (verb) play
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

42. (verb) act, play, roleplay, playact
perform on a stage or theater
"She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

43. (verb) play
be performed or presented for public viewing
"What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"

44. (verb) bring, work, play, wreak, make for
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"

45. (verb) play
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
"play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"

46. (verb) play
make bets
"Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"

47. (verb) bet, wager, play
stake on the outcome of an issue
"I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"

48. (verb) play
shoot or hit in a particular manner
"She played a good backhand last night"

49. (verb) play
use or move
"I had to play my queen"

50. (verb) play
employ in a game or in a specific position
"They played him on first base"

51. (verb) meet, encounter, play, take on
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
"Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"

52. (verb) play
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
"play a hooked fish"

Definition of 'PLAY'

Kernerman English Learner’s Dictionary

1. (verb) play
to spend time as children do, doing activities, using imagination, etc.
They're outside playing with their friends.; Let's play princesses.

2.  play
to take part in a game or sport
Do you like to play football/basketball/tennis/hockey etc.?; kids playing a game of hide-and-seek; Cleveland plays Tampa Bay in next week's game.

3.  play
to have a particular position on a team
He plays first base/left back etc.

4.  play
to perform a piece of music or perform on an instrument
He plays the piano/guitar/trumpet etc.; The band was playing their most popular song.; The audience was entranced as they listened to her play.

5.  play
to act as a particular character
She plays the mother in the film.; Brando plays the part of the Godfather.

6.  play
be playing
(of a movie, play, musical show, etc.) to be currently being shown or performed
The movie's playing at the Westwood Theater.

7.  play
to trick
He played a trick on us.

8.  play
play a part/role (in)
to influence or be involved in
Her parents played a part in her decision to go to Yale.; The city played a significant role in the defeat of the rebels.

9.  play
play ball (with)
to agree to take part in or join an agreement, activity, etc.
We've found a few other companies who are willing to play ball.

10.  play
play games (with)
to try to hide information or deceive
Are drug companies playing games with our health?

11.  play
play with fire
to do sth that involves a lot of risk
Coaches who let injured players participate in games are playing with fire.

12.  play
play it smart/cool/safe etc.
to behave in a particular way in order to achieve an effect
I decided to play it cool and pretend I didn't care.

13. (noun) play
a performance of a story by actors on a stage
Our class went to see a play.; The theater group is putting on a play.

14.  play
a particular action in a sport, or the action of playing a particular game
the first play of the game; The referee blew the whistle to stop play.

15.  play
the activities of children when they play
children at play in the school yard

16.  play
come into play
to begin to have an influence
Their team is bigger, but that's where our good defense comes into play.

17.  play
a play on words
a funny or witty use of a word or phrase that has two meanings

Definition of 'PLAY'

Webster Dictionary

1. (noun) PLAY
to engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot

2. (noun) PLAY
to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless

3. (noun) PLAY
to contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes

4. (noun) PLAY
to perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute

5. (noun) PLAY
to act; to behave; to practice deception

6. (noun) PLAY
to move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays

7. (noun) PLAY
to move gayly; to wanton; to disport

8. (noun) PLAY
to act on the stage; to personate a character

9. (noun) PLAY
amusement; sport; frolic; gambols

10. (noun) PLAY
any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game

11. (noun) PLAY
the act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play

12. (noun) PLAY
action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit

13. (noun) PLAY
a dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action

14. (noun) PLAY
the representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play

15. (noun) PLAY
performance on an instrument of music

16. (noun) PLAY
motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action

17. (noun) PLAY
hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth

18. (verb) PLAY
to put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump

19. (verb) PLAY
to perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ

20. (verb) PLAY
to perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin

21. (verb) PLAY
to bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks

22. (verb) PLAY
to act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman

23. (verb) PLAY
to engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball

24. (verb) PLAY
to keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it

Definitions of 'PLAY'

The Roycroft Dictionary

PLAY
A wise method of Nature which prevents one's nerves from setting on the outside of his Stein-Bloch.

Translation of 'PLAY'

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

Sense: to amuse oneself The child is playing in the garden; He is playing with his toys; The little girl wants to play with her friends.
Afrikaans: speel	Arabic: يَلْهو	Bulgarian: играя си
Brazilian: brincar	Czech: hrát si	German: spielen
Danish: lege	Greek: παίζω	Spanish: jugar
Estonian: mängima	Farsi: بازی کردن	Finnish: leikkiä
French: jouer	Hebrew: לְשַׂחֵק	Hindi: खेलना
Croatian: igrati	Hungarian: játszik	Indonesian: bermain
Icelandic: leika (sér)	Italian: giocare	Japanese: 遊ぶ
Korean: 놀이하다	Lithuanian: žaisti	Latvian: spēlēties; rotaļāties
Malay: bermain	Dutch: spelen	Norwegian: leke
Polish: bawić się	Persian: بازی کردن	Pashto: بازى كول
Portuguese: brincar	Romanian: a se juca; a se distra	Russian: играть
Slovak: hrať sa	Slovenian: igrati se	Serbian: igrati se
Swedish: leka	Thai: เล่นสนุก	Turkish: oynamak
Taiwanese: 玩	Ukrainian: грати(ся), пустувати	Urdu: کھيلنا
Vietnamese: nô đùa	Chinese: 玩
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