play
play /ˈpleɪ/
noun
-
(
)
A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
(
dramatic play
, drama
, play
)
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
He wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
-
()
A theatrical performance of a drama
(
play
)
a theatrical performance of a drama
The play lasted two hours
the play lasted two hours
-
()
A preset plan of action in team sports
(
play
)
a preset plan of action in team sports
The coach drew up the plays for her team
the coach drew up the plays for her team
-
()
A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
(
maneuver
[American] , manoeuvre
[Canadian, British] , play
)
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
He made a great maneuver
he made a great maneuver
The runner was out on a play by the shortstop
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
-
()
A state in which action is feasible
(
play
)
a state in which action is feasible
The ball was still in play
the ball was still in play
Insiders said the company's stock was in play
insiders said the company's stock was in play
-
()
Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
(
child's play
[Informal] , 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
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
-
()
An attempt to get something
(
bid
, play
)
an attempt to get something
They made a futile play for power
they made a futile play for power
He made a bid to gain attention
he made a bid to gain attention
-
()
Utilization or exercise
(
play
)
utilization or exercise
The play of the imagination
the play of the imagination
-
The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
(
play
, swordplay
)
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
-
The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
(
gaming
, play
, gambling
)
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
his gambling cost him a fortune
There was heavy play at the blackjack table
there was heavy play at the blackjack table
-
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
(
play
, turn
)
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
It is my turn
it is my turn
It is still my play
it is still my play
-
Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
(
caper
[Informal] , gambol
, play
, frolic
, romp
)
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
It was all done in play
it was all done in play
Their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
-
Movement or space for movement
(
looseness
, play
)
movement or space for movement
There was too much play in the steering wheel
there was too much play in the steering wheel
-
Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
(
play
, sport
, fun
)
verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
He became a figure of fun
he became a figure of fun
He said it in sport
he said it in sport
-
A weak and tremulous light
(
play
, shimmer
)
a weak and tremulous light
The shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
The play of light on the water
the play of light on the water
-
The removal of constraints
(
play
, free rein
)
the removal of constraints
He gave free rein to his impulses
he gave free rein to his impulses
They gave full play to the artist's talent
they gave full play to the artist's talent
-
(in games, plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
(
period of play
, play
, playing period
)
(in games, plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Rain stopped play in the 4th inning
rain stopped play in the 4th inning
verb
-
()
Participate in games or sport
(
play
)
participate in games or sport
We played hockey all afternoon
We played hockey all afternoon
Play cards
play cards
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
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
(
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 factor played only a minor part in his decision
This development played into her hands
This development played into her hands
I played no role in your dismissal
I played no role in your dismissal
-
()
Play on an instrument
(
play
)
play on an instrument
The band played all night long
The band played all night long
-
()
(performing arts) Perform a role or part
(
represent
, act
, play
)
(performing arts) Perform a role or part
Gielgud played Hamlet
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
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
(
play
)
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
The kids were playing outside all day
The kids were playing outside all day
I used to play with trucks as a little girl
I used to play with trucks as a little girl
-
()
Replay (as a melody)
(
spiel
, play
)
replay (as a melody)
Play it again, Sam
Play it again, Sam
She played the third movement very beautifully
She played the third movement very beautifully
-
()
(music) perform music on (a musical instrument)
(
play
)
(music) perform music on (a musical instrument)
He plays the flute
He plays the flute
Can you play on this old recorder?
Can you play on this old recorder?
-
()
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
(
act as
, act
, play
)
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
He acted the idiot
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
She plays deaf when the news are bad
-
()
Bet or wager (money)
(
play
)
bet or wager (money)
He played $20 on the new horse
He played $20 on the new horse
She plays the races
She plays the races
-
()
Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
(
play
)
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
The spotlights played on the politicians
The spotlights played on the politicians
-
()
Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
(
play
)
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Let's play like I am mommy
Let's play like I am mommy
Play cowboy and Indians
Play cowboy and Indians
-
()
Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
(
recreate
, play
)
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
On weekends I play
On weekends I play
The students all recreate alike
The students all recreate alike
-
()
Emit recorded sound
(
play
)
emit recorded sound
The tape was playing for hours
The tape was playing for hours
The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
-
()
Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
(
toy
, play
)
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
They played games on their opponents
They played games on their opponents
Play the stock market
play the stock market
Play with her feelings
play with her feelings
Toy with an idea
toy with an idea
-
()
Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
(
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
He is playing his cards close to his chest
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
-
()
(performing arts) perform on a certain location
(
play
)
(performing arts) perform on a certain location
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
She has been playing on Broadway for years
She has been playing on Broadway for years
-
()
Consider not very seriously
(
dally
, trifle
, play
)
consider not very seriously
He is trifling with her
He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
-
()
Use to one's advantage
(
play
)
use to one's advantage
She plays on her clients' emotions
She plays on her clients' emotions
-
()
Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
(
diddle
[Informal] , fiddle
, toy
, play
)
manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
She played nervously with her wedding ring
She played nervously with her wedding ring
Don't fiddle with the screws
Don't fiddle with the screws
He played with the idea of running for the Senate
He played with the idea of running for the Senate
-
()
Cause to emit recorded audio or video
(
play
, run
)
cause to emit recorded audio or video
They ran the tapes over and over again
They ran the tapes over and over again
I'll play you my favorite record
I'll play you my favorite record
He never tires of playing that video
He never tires of playing that video
-
()
Behave in a certain way
(
play
)
behave in a certain way
Play safe
play safe
Play it safe
play it safe
Play fair
play fair
-
Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
(
play
)
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Play a hooked fish
play a hooked fish
-
Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
(
play
, encounter
, take on
, meet
)
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Charlie likes to play Mary
Charlie likes to play Mary
-
Employ in a game or in a specific position
(
play
)
employ in a game or in a specific position
They played him on first base
They played him on first base
-
Use or move
(
play
)
use or move
I had to play my queen
I had to play my queen
-
Shoot or hit in a particular manner
(
play
)
shoot or hit in a particular manner
She played a good backhand last night
She played a good backhand last night
-
Stake on the outcome of an issue
(
bet
, play
, wager
)
stake on the outcome of an issue
I bet $100 on that new horse
I bet $100 on that new horse
She played all her money on the dark horse
She played all her money on the dark horse
-
Make bets
(
play
)
make bets
Play the races
Play the races
Play the casinos in Trouville
play the casinos in Trouville
-
Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
(
play
)
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Play water from a hose
play water from a hose
The fountains played all day
The fountains played all day
-
Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
(
play
, wreak
, work
, bring
, make for
)
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
I cannot work a miracle
I cannot work a miracle
Wreak havoc
wreak havoc
Bring comments
bring comments
Play a joke
play a joke
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
-
(performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing
(
play
)
(performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing
What's playing in the local movie theater?
What's playing in the local movie theater?
Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
-
(dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
(
act
, play
, playact
, roleplay
)
(dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
She acts in this play
She acts in this play
He acted in Julius Caesar'
He acted in Julius Caesar'
I played in A Christmas Carol'
I played in A Christmas Carol'
-
Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
(
play
)
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
-
Behave carelessly or indifferently
(
dally
, flirt
, play
, toy
)
behave carelessly or indifferently
Play about with a young girl's affection
Play about with a young girl's affection
-
Be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way
(
play
)
be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way
This speech didn't play well with the American public
This speech didn't play well with the American public
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
