play with

phrasal verb

played with; playing with; plays with

1

: to move or handle (something) with one's hands or fingers often without thinking

Stop playing with that pen and pay attention to what I'm saying.

2

: to handle, change, or deal with (something) in a careless way

I played with the radio for a while but couldn't get it to work.

It's important to teach your children not to play with guns/fire/matches.

Don't play with my heart/emotions.

You have to take this seriously. You're playing with people's lives!

3

: to think about (something) briefly and not very seriously

I played with the idea of moving to Chicago but ended up staying in New York.

Examples of play with in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Phoenix’s last two games, Martin has dived on the court after loose balls, taken charges and played with an edge the Suns have lacked. —Doug Haller, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

To be fully present in the moment is to be open to explore and play with your partner. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025

The clip shows Grandpa reading to the baby, combing her hair, and playing with her. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025

Drummer Jay Lane, who served as a replacement previously for Dead & Company – and played with Weir in his bands Ratdog and Wolf Bros. – has been on board since 2023, replacing Kreutzmann. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025