play in English dictionary

  • play

    Meanings and definitions of "play"

    • (uncountable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
    • The conduct, or course of a game.
    • (countable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
    • (countable) ( turn-based games ) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
    • (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
    • (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
    • (countable) A major move by a business.
    • (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
    • (uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
    • (uncountable, informal) Sexual role-playing.
    • (Should we delete (+) this sense?) (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
    • (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation.
    • (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.
    • (intransitive) To perform in a sport.
    • (transitive) To participate in the game indicated.
    • (transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
    • (intransitive) To produce music using a musical instrument.
    • (transitive, ergative) To produce music on the indicated musical instrument.
    • (transitive, ergative) To produce music, the indicated song or style, with a musical instrument.
    • (transitive, ergative) To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
    • (copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.
    • noun
      (uncountable, formerly countable)
      Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
    • noun
      (uncountable)
      Similar activity, in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
    • noun
      (uncountable, ethology)
      "Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions ..., and initiated voluntarily when ... in a low-stress setting."
    • noun
      The conduct, or course of a game.
    • noun
      (countable)
      An individual's performance in a sport or game.
    • noun
      (countable)
      ( turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
    • noun
      (countable)
      A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
    • noun
      (countable)
      A theatrical performance featuring actors.
    • noun
      (countable)
      A major move by a business.
    • noun
      (countable)
      A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
    • noun
      (uncountable)
      The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
    • noun
      (uncountable, informal)
      Sexual role-playing.
    • noun
      (countable)
      A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
    • verb
      (intransitive)
      To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
    • verb
      (ergative)
      To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
    • verb
      ( intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.
    • verb
      (transitive)
      To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
    • verb
      (heading, transitive, intransitive)
      To produce music or theatre.
    • verb
      (heading)
      To behave in a particular way.
    • verb
      (intransitive)
      To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
    • verb
      (intransitive)
      To move gaily; to disport.
    • verb
      (transitive)
      To put in action or motion.
    • verb
      (transitive)
      To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
    • verb
      (transitive)
      To manipulate or deceive someone.
    • playful activity
    • literary composition
    • theatrical performance
    • individual's performance in a sport
    • major move by a business
    • geological formation
    • area of free movement for a part of a mechanism
    • action carried out when it is one's turn to play
    • act in a manner such that one has fun
    • produce music using a musical instrument (transitive sense), affecting a noun
    • produce music using a musical instrument (intransitive sense, not affecting a noun)
    • deal with a situation in a diplomatic manner
    • act in a performance
    • participate in (a sport or game)
    • use a device to hear (a recording)
    • To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in playful activities expressly for the purpose of recreation.
    • To start or continue the execution of a digital media file.
    • To engage in a sport as a professional or amateur.
    • To take part in a sport's match.
    • To perform a theatrical role.
    • deal (a blow)
    • play (theatrical)
    • act (a part)
    • play (a game)
    • play(1)
    • play(2)
    • play(3)
    • (to) play
    • be amused (with something)
    • kyogen (farce played during a Noh cycle)
    • play (an instrument)
    • To use a musical instrument, obtaining sounds from it.
    • play (piano, guitar)
    • play (margin between on and off, gap before pressing button or lever has an effect)
    • make a visit (esp. for pleasure)
    • play(ing)
    • play (musical instrument)
    • To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
    • To contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle.
    • noun
      activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
    • noun
      an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
    • noun
      a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
    • noun
      a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage; "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
    • noun
      a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
    • noun
      a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
    • noun
      a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"
    • noun
      a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
    • noun
      (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
    • noun
      gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement; "it was all done in play"; "their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"
    • noun
      (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
    • noun
      movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
    • 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); "his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
    • noun
      the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
    • noun
      the removal of constraints; "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
    • noun
      utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"
    • noun
      verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously); "he became a figure of fun"; "he said it in sport"
    • 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"
    • verb
      behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young girl's affection"
    • verb
      behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
    • verb
      bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
    • 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"
    • 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"
    • 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"
    • verb
      cause to emit recorded audio or video; "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"
    • verb
      cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
    • verb
      cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
    • verb
      consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
    • verb
      contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"
    • 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"
    • verb
      emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
    • verb
      employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"
    • verb
      engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously; "They played games on their opponents"; "play the stock market"; "play with her feelings"; "toy with an idea"
    • verb
      engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
    • verb
      exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked fish"
    • verb
      make bets; "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
    • verb
      manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination; "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
    • verb
      move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"
    • verb
      participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
    • verb
      perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
    • verb
      perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
    • verb
      perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
    • verb
      play a role or part; "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"
    • verb
      play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"
    • 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"
    • verb
      pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
    • 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"
    • verb
      replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
    • verb
      shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"
    • verb
      stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
    • verb
      use or move; "I had to play my queen"
    • verb
      use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"

    Synonyms of "play" in English dictionary

    gambling, sport, wreak are the top synonyms of "play" in the English thesaurus.

    Antonyms of "play" in English dictionary

    tightness is the antonym of "play" in the English thesaurus.

    Grammar and declension of play

    • play, played, played; he plays; be playing lm  liczba mnoga plays
    • play ( third-person singular simple present plays, present participle playing, simple past and past participle played)
    • play ( countable and uncountable;  plural  plays)
    • play (countable and uncountable, plural plays)
    • play (third-person singular simple present plays, present participle playing, simple past and past participle played) ;; Conjugation of play
      infinitive (to) play
      present tense past tense
      1st person singular play played
      2nd person singular play,
      playest1
      3rd person singular plays,
      playeth1
      plural play
      subjunctive play
      imperative play —
      participles playing played
      1) Archaic or obsolete.
  • Play

    Meanings and definitions of "play"

    • A button in a Video conversation window that starts or restarts the video feed.
    • Play (Namie Amuro album)
  • PLAY

Images with "play"

Sample sentences with "play"

Available translations

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