play Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
drama; dramatic play.
- he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
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noun a theatrical performance of a drama
- the play lasted two hours
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noun a preset plan of action in team sports
- the coach drew up the plays for her team
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noun a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
maneuver; manoeuvre.
- he made a great maneuver
- the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
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noun a state in which action is feasible
- the ball was still in play
- insiders said the company's stock was in play
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noun utilization or exercise
- the play of the imagination
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noun an attempt to get something
bid.
- they made a futile play for power
- he made a bid to gain attention
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noun activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
child's play.
- Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
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noun (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
playing period; period of play.
- rain stopped play in the 4th inning
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noun the removal of constraints
free rein.
- he gave free rein to his impulses
- they gave full play to the artist's talent
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noun a weak and tremulous light
shimmer.
- the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
- the play of light on the water
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noun verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
fun; sport.
- he became a figure of fun
- he said it in sport
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noun movement or space for movement
looseness.
- there was too much play in the steering wheel
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noun gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
caper; frolic; gambol; romp.
- it was all done in play
- their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
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noun (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
turn.
- it is my turn
- it is still my play
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noun the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
gambling; gaming.
- his gambling cost him a fortune
- there was heavy play at the blackjack table
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noun the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
swordplay.
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verb participate in games or sport
- We played hockey all afternoon
- play cards
- Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
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verb 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
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verb play on an instrument
- The band played all night long
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verb play a role or part
represent; act.
- 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
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verb 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
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verb replay (as a melody)
spiel.
- Play it again, Sam
- She played the third movement very beautifully
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verb perform music on (a musical instrument)
- He plays the flute
- Can you play on this old recorder?
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verb pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
act as; act.
- He acted the idiot
- She plays deaf when the news are bad
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verb move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
- The spotlights played on the politicians
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verb bet or wager (money)
- He played $20 on the new horse
- She plays the races
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verb engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
recreate.
- On weekends I play
- The students all recreate alike
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verb pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
- Let's play like I am mommy
- Play cowboy and Indians
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verb emit recorded sound
- The tape was playing for hours
- the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
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verb perform on a certain location
- The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
- She has been playing on Broadway for years
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verb 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
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verb engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
toy.
- They played games on their opponents
- play the stock market
- play with her feelings
- toy with an idea
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verb behave in a certain way
- play safe
- play it safe
- play fair
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verb cause to emit recorded audio or video
run.
- They ran the tapes over and over again
- I'll play you my favorite record
- He never tires of playing that video
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verb manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
diddle; toy; fiddle.
- She played nervously with her wedding ring
- Don't fiddle with the screws
- He played with the idea of running for the Senate
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verb use to one's advantage
- She plays on her clients' emotions
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verb consider not very seriously
trifle; dally.
- He is trifling with her
- She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
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verb 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
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verb behave carelessly or indifferently
flirt; toy; dally.
- Play about with a young girl's affection
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verb cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
- The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
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verb perform on a stage or theater
playact; roleplay; act.
- She acts in this play
- He acted in `Julius Caesar'
- I played in `A Christmas Carol'
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verb be performed or presented for public viewing
- What's playing in the local movie theater?
- `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
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verb cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
bring; work; wreak; make for.
- I cannot work a miracle
- wreak havoc
- bring comments
- play a joke
- The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
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verb discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
- play water from a hose
- The fountains played all day
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verb make bets
- Play the races
- play the casinos in Trouville
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verb stake on the outcome of an issue
wager; bet.
- I bet $100 on that new horse
- She played all her money on the dark horse
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verb shoot or hit in a particular manner
- She played a good backhand last night
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verb use or move
- I had to play my queen
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verb employ in a game or in a specific position
- They played him on first base
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verb contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
take on; meet; encounter.
- Princeton plays Yale this weekend
- Charlie likes to play Mary
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verb exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
- play a hooked fish
WordNet
Play intransitive verb
Etymology
OE.Wordforms
Definitions
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To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot. As Cannace was playing in her walk. Chaucer.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play! Pope.
And some, the darlings of their Lord, Play smiling with the flame and sword. Keble.
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To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. "Nay," quod this monk, "I have no lust to pleye." Chaucer.
Men are apt to play with their healths. Sir W. Temple.
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To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to ; hence, to gamble;play ballas, he .played for heavy stakes -
To perform on an instrument of music; as, to .play on a fluteOne that . . . can play well on an instrument. Ezek. xxxiii. 32.
Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. Granville.
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To act; to behave; to practice deception. His mother played false with a smith. Shak.
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To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain .plays The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs play. Cheyne.
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To move gayly; to wanton; to disport. Even as the waving sedges play with wind. Shak.
The setting sun Plays on their shining arms and burnished helmets. Addison.
All fame is foreign but of true desert, Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. Pope.
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To act on the stage; to personate a character. A lord will hear your play to-night. Shak.
Courts are theaters where some men play. Donne.
play around
Play transitive verb
Definitions
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To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; toplay a trump.First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. Herbert.
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To perform music upon; as, to .play the flute or the organ -
To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to .play a waltz on the violin -
To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to .play tricksNature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies. Milton.
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To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to ; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like;play a comedyas, to play King Lear; toplay the woman.Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. Sir W. Scott.
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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 -
To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
Play noun
Definitions
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Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. -
Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. John naturally loved rough play. Arbuthnot.
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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 -
Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; "The next who comes in play." Dryden.as, fair play ; swordplay ; aplay of wit. -
A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action. A play ought to be a just image of human nature. Dryden.
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The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever .play -
Performance on an instrument of music. -
Motion; movement, regular or irregular; "To give them play, front and rear." Milton.as, the ; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.play of a wheel or pistonThe joints are let exactly into one another, that they have no play between them. Moxon.
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Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full .play to mirthin play. (a) (baseball, football) [of a ball] to still be subject to action so as to affect the game, true as long as the specific play has not been completed. Opposite of out of play, out of bounds. (b) (Corporate Finance) subject to acquisition or merger; said of companies which have been discussed as potential acquisitions by potentially acquiring companies. I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play. Macaulay.