playing Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of playing a musical instrument
   
2. noun the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
   
3. noun the performance of a part or role in a drama
   acting; performing; playacting.
   
4. verb participate in games or sport
   play.
   
   • We played hockey all afternoon
   • play cards
   • Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
5. verb act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
   play.
   
   • This factor played only a minor part in his decision
   • This development played into her hands
   • I played no role in your dismissal
6. verb play on an instrument
   play.
   
   • The band played all night long
7. verb play a role or part
   represent; play; 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
8. verb be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
   play.
   
   • The kids were playing outside all day
   • I used to play with trucks as a little girl
9. verb replay (as a melody)
   spiel; play.
   
   • Play it again, Sam
   • She played the third movement very beautifully
10. verb perform music on (a musical instrument)
    play.
    
    • He plays the flute
    • Can you play on this old recorder?
11. verb pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
    play; act as; act.
    
    • He acted the idiot
    • She plays deaf when the news are bad
12. verb move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
    play.
    
    • The spotlights played on the politicians
13. verb bet or wager (money)
    play.
    
    • He played $20 on the new horse
    • She plays the races
14. verb engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
    play; recreate.
    
    • On weekends I play
    • The students all recreate alike
15. verb pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
    play.
    
    • Let's play like I am mommy
    • Play cowboy and Indians
16. verb emit recorded sound
    play.
    
    • The tape was playing for hours
    • the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
17. verb perform on a certain location
    play.
    
    • The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
    • She has been playing on Broadway for years
18. verb put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
    play.
    
    • He is playing his cards close to his chest
    • The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
19. verb engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
    play; toy.
    
    • They played games on their opponents
    • play the stock market
    • play with her feelings
    • toy with an idea
20. verb behave in a certain way
    play.
    
    • play safe
    • play it safe
    • play fair
21. verb cause to emit recorded audio or video
    play; run.
    
    • They ran the tapes over and over again
    • I'll play you my favorite record
    • He never tires of playing that video
22. verb manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    diddle; toy; fiddle; play.
    
    • She played nervously with her wedding ring
    • Don't fiddle with the screws
    • He played with the idea of running for the Senate
23. verb use to one's advantage
    play.
    
    • She plays on her clients' emotions
24. verb consider not very seriously
    trifle; play; dally.
    
    • He is trifling with her
    • She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
25. verb be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
    play.
    
    • This speech didn't play well with the American public
    • His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
26. verb behave carelessly or indifferently
    flirt; toy; play; dally.
    
    • Play about with a young girl's affection
27. verb cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
    play.
    
    • The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
28. verb perform on a stage or theater
    play; playact; roleplay; act.
    
    • She acts in this play
    • He acted in `Julius Caesar'
    • I played in `A Christmas Carol'
29. verb be performed or presented for public viewing
    play.
    
    • What's playing in the local movie theater?
    • `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
30. verb cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    bring; play; 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
31. verb discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
    play.
    
    • play water from a hose
    • The fountains played all day
32. verb make bets
    play.
    
    • Play the races
    • play the casinos in Trouville
33. verb stake on the outcome of an issue
    play; wager; bet.
    
    • I bet $100 on that new horse
    • She played all her money on the dark horse
34. verb shoot or hit in a particular manner
    play.
    
    • She played a good backhand last night
35. verb use or move
    play.
    
    • I had to play my queen
36. verb employ in a game or in a specific position
    play.
    
    • They played him on first base
37. verb contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
    take on; meet; play; encounter.
    
    • Princeton plays Yale this weekend
    • Charlie likes to play Mary
38. verb exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
    play.
    
    • play a hooked fish

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