play

1 of 2

verb

ˈplā 

played; playing; plays

intransitive verb

1

a

: to engage in sport or recreation : frolic

b(1)

: to toy or fiddle around with something

played with her food

(2)

: to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest

(3)

: to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner

(4)

: to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect

(5)

: to move aimlessly about : trifle

c

: to have sexual relations

especially : to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations

—usually used in the phrase play around

2

a

: to engage or take part in a game

b

: to perform in a position in a specified manner

the outfielders were playing deep

c

: to perform an action during one's turn in a game

d

: gamble

e(1)

: to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way

play safe

(2)

: to feign a specified state or quality

play dead

(3)

: to take part in or assent to some activity : cooperate

play along with his scheme

(4)

: to act so as to prove advantageous to another

—usually used in the phrase play into the hands of

3

a(1)

: to perform music

play on a violin

(2)

: to sound in performance

the organ is playing

(3)

: to emit sounds

the radio is playing

(4)

: to reproduce recorded sounds

a record is playing

b(1)

: show, run

what's playing at the theater

(2)

: to act in a dramatic production

c

: to be suitable for dramatic performance

d

: to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy

might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends

—V. L. Parrington

—often used in the phrase play up to

e

: to produce a specified impression in performance

a movie that plays like a sitcom

4

a

: to take advantage

playing on fears

b(1)

: flutter, frisk

(2)

: to move or operate in a lively, irregular, or intermittent manner

c

: to move or function freely within prescribed limits

d

: to produce a stream

hoses playing on a fire

5

: to gain approval : go over

her idea did not play well

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to engage in or occupy oneself with

play baseball

(2)

: to engage in (an activity) as a game

(3)

: to deal with, handle, or manage

(4)

: exploit, manipulate

b

: to pretend to engage in the activities of

play war

children playing house

c(1)

: to amount to by one's efforts

played an important role in their success

(2)

: to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock

play a trick

(3)

: wreak

play havoc

(4)

: to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy

play the national security card

2

a(1)

: to contend against in or as if in a game

(2)

: to use as a contestant in a game

the coach did not play him

(3)

: to perform the duties associated with (a certain position)

played quarterback

(4)

: to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner

b(1)

: to wager in a game : stake

(2)

: to make wagers on

play the races

(3)

: to speculate on or in

play the stock market

(4)

: to operate on the basis of

play a hunch

c

: to put into action in a game

especially : to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick

d

: to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field

played the ball bare-handed

e

: to direct the course of (something, such as a ball) : hit

played a wedge shot to the green

also : to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound

played the ball off the backboard

3

a(1)

: to put on a performance of (a play)

(2)

: to act in the character or part of

(3)

: to act or perform in

played leading theaters

b

: to perform or act the part of

play the fool

4

a

: to perform (music) on an instrument

play a waltz

b

: to perform music on

play the violin

c

: to perform music of (a certain composer)

d(1)

: to cause (a device, such as a radio) to emit sounds

(2)

: to cause the recorded sound or image of (something, such as a record, optical disk, or a digital file) to be reproduced

5

a

: wield, ply

b

: to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect

played the hose on the burning building

c

: to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently

d

: to keep (a hooked fish) in action

playability

ˌplā-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

playable

ˈplā-ə-bəl 

adjective

play

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the stage representation of an action or story

b

: a dramatic composition : drama

2

a

: recreational activity

especially : the spontaneous activity of children

b

: the act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds

c

: absence of serious or harmful intent : jest

said it in play

d

: gaming, gambling

3

a

: the conduct, course, or action of a game

b

: one's turn in a game

it's your play

c

: a particular act or maneuver in a game: such as

(1)

: the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football

(2)

: the action in which a player is put out in baseball

d

: the moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)

e

: the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game

f

: swordplay

g

archaic : game, sport

4

a(1)

: the state of being active, operative, or relevant

other motives surely come into play

—M. R. Cohen

several issues are at play

(2)

: a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play

(3)

: scope or opportunity for action

(4)

: brisk, fitful, or light movement

the gem presented a dazzling play of colors

(5)

: free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine)

also : the length or measure of such motion

b(1)

: an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver

that was a play to get your fingerprints

—Erle Stanley Gardner

(2)

: deal, venture

5

: emphasis or publicity especially in the news media

wished the country received a better play in the American press

—Hugh MacLennan

6

: a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings

—usually used with make

made a big play for the girl

—Will Herman

7

a

obsolete : sexual intercourse

b

: amorous flirtation : dalliance

Phrases

play ball

: cooperate

play both ends against the middle

: to set opposing interests against each other to one's own ultimate profit

play by ear

: to deal with something without previous planning or instructions

play games

: to try to hide the truth from someone by deceptive means

play one's cards

: to act with the means available to one

play possum

: to pretend to be asleep or dead

play second fiddle

: to take a subordinate position

play the field

: to date or have romantic connections with more than one person

play the game

: to act according to a code or set of standards

play with a full deck

: to be rational or sane

play with fire

: to do something risky or dangerous

play with oneself

: masturbate

in play

: in condition or position to be legitimately played

out of play

: not in play

Synonyms

Verb

• dally
• disport
• frolic
• recreate
• rollick
• skylark
• sport
• toy

Noun

• dalliance
• frolic
• frolicking
• fun
• fun and games
• recreation
• relaxation
• rollicking
• sport

Choose the Right Synonym for play

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.

fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of play in a Sentence

Verb

The children were playing in the yard.

Can Sara come out and play?

He played by himself in his room.

Did you play any sports in high school?

No one dares to play chess with him.

The children were playing hide-and-seek.

I have a chess set. Do you want to play?

It's your turn to play.

She hurt her wrist but decided to continue playing.

He played in every major tournament this year.

Noun

The play is based on a real-life event.

He wrote, directed, and starred in the play.

His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving.

I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays.

The book discusses the role of play in a child's development.

As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Please, no talking during play.

Rain held up play for an hour.

The chess match finally ended after three hours of play.

The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In an earlier episode, the family’s patriarch, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, was murdered. —Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Vincent Trocheck stressed the need to play tighter and have short memories on the ice. —Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

State of play: About two months ago, the CARE teams shifted their approach. —Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

The penalty set the Bears back to first-and-goal at the 6-yard line, and Swift gained 5 yards on the next play. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3f

Phrases Containing play

• act/play the fool
• at play
• bring/call/put into play
• child's play
• chronicle play
• come into play
• counter-play
• deal/play straight
• double play
• draw play
• extended play
• fair play
• field of play
• force play
• foul play
• game play
• have a part to play
• have a role to play
• hold/keep/play (something) close to one's chest
• hold/keep/play (something) close to the vest
• in play
• make a play for
• match play
• medal play
• miracle play
• morality play
• mystery play
• out of play
• passion play
• play about
• play-action pass
• play (a game of) cat and mouse
• play along
• play a part in
• play around
• play at
• play at being (something)
• play a trick on (someone)
• play back
• play-by-play
• play catch-up
• play coy
• play Cupid
• play dead
• play down
• play ducks and drakes with
• play fair
• play fast and loose
• play footsie
• play for laughs
• play for time
• play God
• play hard to get
• play hell with
• play/hold/keep one's cards close to the/one's chest/vest
• play hookey
• play hooky
• play host to
• play into
• play into (someone's) hands
• play into the hands of someone
• play it by ear
• play it cool
• play it safe
• play itself out
• play (it) smart
• play make-believe
• play merry hell with
• play nice
• play no part in
• play off
• play on
• play one's cards right
• play on words
• play out
• play politics
• play school
• play (someone or something) off against (someone or something)
• play structure
• play the clown
• play the lottery
• play the market
• play the martyr
• play the part
• play therapy
• play the role
• play to
• play to the gallery
• play truant
• play up
• play upon
• play with
• play with one's food
• play with words/language
• plug and play
• power play
• role-play
• satyr play
• shadow play
• sing/play lead
• squeeze play
• stage play
• stroke play
• triple play
• turnabout is fair play
• use/play the race/gender card

Kids Definition

play

1 of 2 noun

ˈplā 

1

a

: a brisk handling or using

the play of a sword

b

: the conduct, course, or action of a game

rain held up play

c

: a particular act or maneuver in a game

a great play by the shortstop

d

: one's turn in a game

it's your play

2

a

: exercise or activity for amusement

children at play

b

: absence of any bad intention

said it in play

c

: the act or an instance of playing on words : pun

d

: the act of playing a game and risking something on an uncertain event : gambling, gaming

3

a

: a way or manner of acting or proceeding : action, conduct

fair play

b

: operation sense 1, activity

c

: brisk or light movement

the light play of a breeze

d

: freedom of motion

too much play in the steering wheel

e

: opportunity for action

the new job gave play to my talents

4

a

: the stage representation of an action or story

b

: a dramatic composition : drama

play

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to engage in sport or recreation and especially in activity for amusement

children playing

b

: to treat or behave lightly or without respect that is due

play with a new idea

c

: to make use of double meaning or the similarity of sound of two words for humorous effect : pun

d

: to handle something in an absentminded way : toy

played with the pencil

2

a

: to take advantage

played upon the people's fears

b

: to move swiftly or lightly

shadows playing on the wall

c

: to move freely

d

: to let go in a stream

hoses playing on the fire

3

a

: to sound in performance

listen to an organ playing

b

: to be staged or presented

what's playing at the movies

4

: to behave in a particular way

play safe

5

a

: to take part in

play cards

play ball

b

: to pretend to take part in the activities of

children playing house

c

: to do for amusement or from mischief

play a trick on someone

6

a

: to perform on or as if on the stage

play a part

b

: to act the part of

play the fool

7

a

: to contend against in a game

playing the Dodgers today

b

: to put or keep in action

play a card in a game

play a fish on a line

8

: to cause something to produce music or sound

play the piano

play a record

playable

ˈplā-ə-bəl 

adjective