play

P0363500 (plā)v. played, play·ing, plays v.intr.1. To occupy oneself in an activity for amusement or recreation: children playing with toys.2. a. To take part in a sport or game: He's just a beginner and doesn't play well.b. To participate in betting; gamble.3. a. To behave in a teasing or joking manner; act in jest or sport: She's not angry with you; she's just playing.b. To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently, especially for one's own amusement; toy: She isn't interested in you; she's just playing with you.4. To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.5. To act, especially in a dramatic production.6. Music a. To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.b. To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.7. To be performed, as in a theater or on television: A good movie is playing tonight.8. To be received or accepted: a speech that played poorly with the voters.9. To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly: The breeze played on the water.10. To function or discharge uninterruptedly: The fountains played in the courtyard.11. To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.v.tr.1. a. To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.b. To compete against in a game or sport: We play the Tigers today.c. To compete in a game or sport at (a location): The New York Yankees played Fenway Park last night.d. To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.e. To put (a player) at a position in a sport or in a game: Let's play her at first base.f. To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubsg. To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.h. To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.2. a. To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.b. To assume the role of; act as: played the peacemaker at the meeting.c. To pretend to be; mimic the activities of: played cowboy; played the star.3. a. To perform (a theatrical work or part of a work): The actors played the scene with great skill.b. To present a theatrical performance or other entertainment in (a given place): The company played Boston last week.4. a. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.b. To make bets on: play the races.5. a. To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception: play a joke on a friend.b. To handle; manage: played the matter quietly.c. To use or manipulate, especially for one's own interests: played his opponents against each other.6. Music a. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.b. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.7. To cause (a movie, audiotape, or other recording) to be presented in audible or visible form.8. To discharge or direct in a certain direction: played the water on the burning roof.9. To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly: play lights over the dance floor.10. To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.n.1. a. A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.b. The performance of such a work.2. Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.3. Fun or jesting: It was all done in play.4. a. The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured expert play.b. The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport: my partner's play of the last trump; his clumsy play of the rebound.c. A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.5. Participation in betting; gambling.6. Manner of dealing with others; conduct: fair play.7. An attempt to obtain something; a bid: a play for sympathy.8. a. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.b. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents.9. Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.10. Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color: the play of color on iridescent feathers.11. A control mechanism on an audio or video player that starts or resumes the audible or visual presentation of a recording.12. A geological deposit, as of oil or natural gas, considered as a prospect for commercial extraction.Phrasal Verbs: play along Informal To cooperate or pretend to cooperate: decided to play along with the robbers for a while. play around To philander. play at1. To participate in; engage in.2. To do or take part in halfheartedly. play back To replay (a recently recorded tape, for example). play down To minimize the importance of; make little of: played down the defect to protect the troops' morale. play off1. Sports a. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.b. To participate in a playoff.2. To set (one individual or party) in opposition to another so as to advance one's own interests: a parent who played off one child against another. play on (or upon) To take advantage of (another's attitudes or feelings) for one's own interests: demagogues who play on popular fears. play out To use up; exhaust: Our strength was played out early in the contest. play up To emphasize or publicize: She played up her experience during the job interview.Idioms: in play1. Sports In a position to be legally or feasibly played: The ball is now in play.2. In a position, or rumored to be in a position of possible corporate takeover: The company's stock rose in price when it was said to be in play. out of play Sports Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played. play ball Slang To cooperate: The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us. play both ends against the middle To set opposing parties or interests against one another so as to advance one's own goals. play fast and loose To behave in a recklessly irresponsible or deceitful manner: played fast and loose with the facts. play for time To use delaying tactics; temporize. play games Slang To be evasive or deceptive: Quit playing games and tell me what you want. play hard to get To pretend to be uninterested in a romantic relationship. play in Peoria Slang To be acceptable to average constituents or consumers. play into (someone's) hands To act or behave so as to give an advantage to an opponent. play it by ear To act according to the circumstances; improvise: I don't have a set schedule, so we'll have to play it by ear. play (one's) cards Informal To use the resources or strategies at one's disposal: played her cards right and got promoted. play possum To pretend to be sleeping or dead. play the field To date more than one person at the same time. play the game Informal To behave according to the accepted customs or standards. play up to To curry favor with. play with a full deck Slang To be of sound mind: didn't seem to be playing with a full deck. play with fire To take part in a dangerous or risky undertaking. play with (oneself) Vulgar Slang To masturbate.

[Middle English playen, from Old English plegian; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots.]

play′a·bil′i·ty n.play′a·ble adj.

play

(pleɪ) vb1. to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game)2. (General Sporting Terms) (tr) to contend against (an opponent) in a sport or game: Ed played Tony at chess and lost. 3. (General Sporting Terms) to fulfil or cause to fulfil (a particular role) in a team game: he plays defence; he plays in the defence. 4. (General Sporting Terms) (tr) to address oneself to (a ball) in a game: play the ball not the man. 5. (intr; often foll by about or around) to behave carelessly, esp in a way that is unconsciously cruel or hurtful; trifle or dally (with): to play about with a young girl's affections. 6. (Film) (when: intr, often foll by at) to perform or act the part (of) in or as in a dramatic production; assume or simulate the role (of): to play the villain; just what are you playing at?. 7. (Film) to act out or perform (a dramatic production)8. (Theatre) to give a performance in (a place) or (of a performance) to be given in a place9. (intr) to be received: How will these policies play in Middle England?. 10. (Music, other) to have the ability to perform on (a musical instrument): David plays the harp. 11. (Music, other) to perform (on a musical instrument) as specified: he plays out of tune. 12. (Music, other) (tr) a. to reproduce (a tune, melody, piece of music, note, etc) on an instrumentb. to perform works by (a specific composer): to play Brahms. 13. to discharge or cause to discharge: he played the water from the hose onto the garden. 14. to operate, esp to cause (a record player, radio, etc) to emit sound or (of a record player, radio, etc) to emit (sound): he played a record; the radio was playing loudly. 15. to move or cause to move freely, quickly, or irregularly: lights played on the scenery. 16. (Stock Exchange) (tr) stock exchange to speculate or operate aggressively for gain in (a market)17. (Angling) (tr) angling to attempt to tire (a hooked fish) by alternately letting out and reeling in line and by using the rod's flexibility18. to put (a card, counter, piece, etc) into play19. (Gambling, except Cards) to gamble (money) on a game20. play ball informal to cooperate21. play fair play fair with someone to prove oneself fair in one's dealings22. play false play fair with someone to prove oneself unfair in one's dealings23. play by ear See ear¹¹⁹24. play for time to delay the outcome of some activity so as to gain time to one's own advantage25. play into the hands of to act directly to the advantage of (an opponent)26. play the fool See fool¹⁷27. play the game See game¹²²n28. (Theatre) a dramatic composition written for performance by actors on a stage, on television, etc; drama29. (Theatre) a. the performance of a dramatic compositionb. (in combination): playreader. 30. a. games, exercise, or other activity undertaken for pleasure, diversion, etc, esp by childrenb. (in combination): playroom. c. (as modifier): play area. 31. manner of action, conduct, or playing: fair play. 32. the playing or conduct of a game or the period during which a game is in progress: rain stopped play. 33. (General Sporting Terms) US and Canadian a move or manoeuvre in a game: a brilliant play. 34. (General Sporting Terms) the situation of a ball that is within the defined area and being played according to the rules (in the phrases in play, out of play)35. a turn to play: it's my play. 36. (Gambling, except Cards) the act of playing for stakes; gambling37. action, activity, or operation: the play of the imagination. 38. freedom of or scope or space for movement: too much play in the rope. 39. light, free, or rapidly shifting motion: the play of light on the water. 40. fun, jest, or joking: I only did it in play. 41. call into play to bring into operation42. make a play for informal a. to make an obvious attempt to gainb. to attempt to attract or seduce[Old English plega (n), plegan (vb); related to Middle Dutch pleyen] ˌplayaˈbility n ˈplayable adj

play

(pleɪ)

n. 1. a dramatic composition; drama. 2. a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 3. activity, often spontaneous, engaged in for recreation, as by children. 4. fun or jest, as opposed to earnest: I said it merely in play. 5. a pun. 6. the action or conduct of a game: the fourth inning of play. 7. an act or instance of playing: a play that cost us the match. 8. manner or style of playing. 9. one's turn to play. 10. a playing for stakes; gambling. 11. an often crafty maneuver: a takeover play. 12. an enterprise; venture. 13. action of a specified kind: foul play. 14. action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy. 15. brisk, light, or changing movement or action: the play of a fountain. 16. elusive change: the play of a searchlight against the night sky. 17. a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move. 18. freedom of movement within a space. 19. freedom or scope for activity: full play of the mind. 20. attention; coverage: The scandal got a big play in the papers. 21. an act or instance of being broadcast. v.t. 22. to portray; enact: to play Macbeth. 23. to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.). 24. to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God. 25. to act or sustain (a part): Economics played a part in the decision. 26. to give performances in: to play the big cities. 27. to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.). 28. to contend against in a game. 29. to perform in (a specified position or role) in a game or competition: to play center field. 30. to employ in a game: I played my highest card. 31. to use as if in playing a game, esp. for one's own advantage: He played his brothers against each other. 32. to stake or wager, as in a game. 33. to lay a wager or wagers on (something). 34. to represent or imitate, as for recreation: to play cowboys and Indians. 35. to perform or be able to perform on (a musical instrument). 36. to perform (music) on an instrument. 37. to perform the music of (a composer). 38. to cause to produce sound or pictures: played the VCR. 39. to perform or carry out, esp. as a sly or deceitful action: to play tricks. 40. to put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch. 41. to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play lights on a fountain. 42. to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire. 43. to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line. 44. to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently: Play the flood photos on page one. 45. to exploit or trade in: to play the stock market. v.i. 46. to occupy oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation. 47. to do something that is not to be taken seriously; sport. 48. to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often fol. by with). 49. to take part in a game. 50. to take part in a game for stakes; gamble. 51. to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair. 52. to act on or as if on the stage; perform. 53. to perform on a musical instrument. 54. (of an instrument or music) to sound in performance. 55. to give forth sound: The radio played all night. 56. to be performed or shown: What's playing at the theater? 57. to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a dramatic script. 58. to be received; go over: How will the proposal play with the public? 59. to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism. 60. to move about lightly, quickly, or irregularly: A smile played about her lips. 61. to operate continuously or with repeated action. 62. to comply; cooperate. 63. play along, a. to cooperate or concur. b. to pretend to cooperate or concur. 64. play around, a. to behave in a playful or frivolous manner. b. to have promiscuous or adulterous sexual relations. 65. play at, a. to pretend to do or be. b. to do without seriousness. 66. play down, to treat as of little importance; minimize. 67. play off, a. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie. b. to set (one person or thing) against another, usu. for one's own gain or advantage. 68. play on or upon, to exploit the weaknesses of; take advantage of: played on his generosity. 69. play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize. 70. play up to, to attempt to please or impress in order to gain the favor of. Idioms: 1. bring into play, to cause to be introduced, considered, or used. 2. make a play for, to employ stratagems to attract or gain. 3. play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself. 4. play fast and loose with, to behave cavalierly toward; deal irresponsibly with. 5. play for time, to forestall an event or decision. 6. play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, esp. an opponent). Also, play into (someone's) hands. 7. play one's cards right or well, to maneuver skillfully. 8. play the field, to date a number of persons during the same period of time. 9. play with a full deck, Slang. to be sane (used esp. in the negative). 10. play with oneself, to masturbate. [before 900; (n.) Middle English pleye, Old English plega; (v.) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an, c. Middle Dutch pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice)]

play

1. children's games

When children play, they spend time amusing themselves with toys or taking part in games.

The kids went off to play in the park.2. sports and games

If you play a sport or game, you take part in it regularly.

Raja and I play tennis at least once a week.Do you play chess?

If someone plays in a game, match, or competition, they take part in it on a particular occasion.

He hopes to play in England's match against France next week.3. CDs and DVDs

If you play something such as a CD or DVD, you put it in a piece of equipment and listen to it.

She played me a tape of the interview.She plays her CDs too loudly.

Don't say that someone 'plays' a film or a television programme. Say that they show it.

The teacher showed us a film about tigers.Many news programmes showed the clip.4. musical instruments

If you play a musical instrument, you produce music from it.

There is a piano in the hall, but nobody ever plays it.

If you want to say that someone is able to play a particular instrument, you can use play with or without the. For example, you say 'She plays the piano' or 'She plays piano'.

Uncle Rudi played the cello.He wanted to learn to play guitar.

play

Past participle: played
Gerund: playing

Imperative
play
play

Present
I play
you play
he/she/it plays
we play
you play
they play

Preterite
I played
you played
he/she/it played
we played
you played
they played

Present Continuous
I am playing
you are playing
he/she/it is playing
we are playing
you are playing
they are playing

Present Perfect
I have played
you have played
he/she/it has played
we have played
you have played
they have played

Past Continuous
I was playing
you were playing
he/she/it was playing
we were playing
you were playing
they were playing

Past Perfect
I had played
you had played
he/she/it had played
we had played
you had played
they had played

Future
I will play
you will play
he/she/it will play
we will play
you will play
they will play

Future Perfect
I will have played
you will have played
he/she/it will have played
we will have played
you will have played
they will have played

Future Continuous
I will be playing
you will be playing
he/she/it will be playing
we will be playing
you will be playing
they will be playing

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been playing
you have been playing
he/she/it has been playing
we have been playing
you have been playing
they have been playing

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been playing
you will have been playing
he/she/it will have been playing
we will have been playing
you will have been playing
they will have been playing

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been playing
you had been playing
he/she/it had been playing
we had been playing
you had been playing
they had been playing

Conditional
I would play
you would play
he/she/it would play
we would play
you would play
they would play

Past Conditional
I would have played
you would have played
he/she/it would have played
we would have played
you would have played
they would have played

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	play - a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage; "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"drama, dramatic playdrama - the literary genre of works intended for the theaterstage direction - an instruction written as part of the script of a playdramatic composition, dramatic work - a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.Grand Guignol - a play of a macabre or horrific naturetheater of the absurd - plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless; "Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco have written plays for the theater of the absurd"playlet - a short playact - a subdivision of a play or opera or balletmiracle play - a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyrmorality play - an allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries; characters personified virtues and vicesmystery play - a medieval play representing episodes from the life of ChristPassion play - a play representing the Passion of Christsatyr play - an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs
	2.	play - a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"show - a social event involving a public performance or entertainment; "they wanted to see some of the shows on Broadway"musical, musical comedy, musical theater - a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancingcurtain raiser - a short play presented before the main play
	3.	play - a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"knock on - (rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul)power play - (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties; "the team was unable to capitalize on the power play"football play - (American football) a play by the offensive teamrazmataz, razzle, razzle-dazzle, razzmatazz - any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponentbasketball play - a play executed by a basketball teamplan of action - a plan for actively doing something
	4.	play - a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"maneuver, manoeuvremovement, move, motion - the act of changing location from one place to another; "police controlled the motion of the crowd"; "the movement of people from the farms to the cities"; "his move put him directly in my path"athletic game - a game involving athletic activitytakeaway - the act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass)figure - a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating; "she made the best score on compulsory figures"completion, pass completion - (American football) a successful forward pass in footballball hawking - a skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing teamassist - (sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good playicing the puck, icing - (ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goaljugglery - the performance of a jugglerobstruction - getting in someone's waybaseball play - (baseball) a play executed by a baseball teamfootwork - the manner of using the feetstroke, shot - (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand; "it took two strokes to get out of the bunker"; "a good shot requires good balance and tempo"; "he left me an almost impossible shot"blitz, linebacker blitzing, safety blitz - (American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive linetrap play, mousetrap - (American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated
	5.	play - a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"activeness, activity, action - the state of being active; "his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"
	6.	play - utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"usage, use, utilisation, utilization, exercise, employment - the act of using; "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers"
	7.	play - an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"bidattempt, effort, try, endeavor, endeavour - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"
	8.	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"child's playdiversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates; "scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists"; "for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles"; "drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation"house - play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults; "the children were playing house"doctor - children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office; "the children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor"fireman - play in which children pretend to put out a fire
	9.	play - (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"period of play, playing periodquantity, measure, amount - how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantifygame - a contest with rules to determine a winner; "you need four people to play this game"athletic game - a game involving athletic activitygolf hole, hole - one playing period (from tee to green) on a golf course; "he played 18 holes"chukka, chukker - (polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is dividedinning, frame - (baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at batset - a unit of play in tennis or squash; "they played two sets of tennis after dinner"bout, round, turn - (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensivefirst period - the first division into which the play of a game is dividedsecond period - the second division into which the play of a game is dividedfinal period - the final division into which the play of a game is dividedhalf - one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an intervalperiod - (ice hockey) one of three divisions into which play is divided in hockey gamesquarter - (football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games are divided; "both teams scored in the first quarter"over - (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
	10.	play - the removal of constraints; "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"free reinfreedom - the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
	11.	play - a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"shimmeralteration, change, modification - an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another; "the change was intended to increase sales"; "this storm is certainly a change for the worse"; "the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago"
	12.	play - 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"fun, sporthumor, wit, witticism, wittiness, humour - a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughterjocosity, jocularity - fun characterized by humorwaggery, waggishness - waggish behaviordrollery, funniness, clowning, comedy - a comic incident or series of incidentsparonomasia, pun, punning, wordplay - a humorous play on words; "I do it for the pun of it"; "his constant punning irritated her"
	13.	play - movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"loosenessmovability, movableness - the quality of being movable; capable of being moved or rearrangedwiggliness - a jerky back and forth kind of mobility; "he walked with the wiggliness of a child on high heels"slackness, slack - the quality of being loose (not taut); "he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope"
	14.	play - 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"frolic, gambol, romp, caperdiversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates; "scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists"; "for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles"; "drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation"coquetry, flirtation, flirting, toying, dalliance, flirt - playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interestfoolery, tomfoolery, lunacy, craziness, folly, indulgence - foolish or senseless behaviorgame - frivolous or trifling behavior; "for actors, memorizing lines is no game"; "for him, life is all fun and games"horseplay - rowdy or boisterous playteasing - playful vexation; "the parody was just a form of teasing"word play - playing on words or speech sounds
	15.	play - (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"turnmove - (game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the gamestarting, start - a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning); "he got his start because one of the regular pitchers was in the hospital"; "his starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen"activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity"game - a contest with rules to determine a winner; "you need four people to play this game"innings - the batting turn of a cricket player or teamattack - an offensive move in a sport or game; "they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning"down - (American football) a complete play to advance the football; "you have four downs to gain ten yards"at-bat, bat - (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit; "he was at bat when it happened"; "he got four hits in four at-bats"lead - the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge; "the lead was in the dummy"trumping, ruff - (card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suittrick - (card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner
	16.	play - 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"gambling, gamingdiversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates; "scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists"; "for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles"; "drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation"sporting life - active interest in gambling on sports eventswager, bet - the act of gambling; "he did it on a bet"gambling game, game of chance - a game that involves gamblingvice - a specific form of evildoing; "vice offends the moral standards of the community"throw - casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly; "he risked his fortune on a throw of the dice"
	17.	play - the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfullyswordplayaction - something done (usually as opposed to something said); "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"fencing - the art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules)
Verb	1.	play - participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"compete, vie, contend - compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against othersline up - take one's position before a kick-offcurl - play the Scottish game of curlingsnooker - leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shotrevoke - fail to follow suit when able and required to do sodevelop - move into a strategically more advantageous position; "develop the rook"develop - move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions; "Spassky developed quickly"die - to be on base at the end of an inning, of a playermisplay - play wrong or in an unskillful mannerstart - play in the starting lineupfumble - drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder; "fumble a grounder"volley - make a volleyunblock - play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holdingreplay - play again; "We replayed the game"; "replay a point"cricket - play cricketbackstop - act as a backstopfullback - play the fullbackquarterback - play the quarterbackcradle - run with the stickexit - lose the leadencounter, take on, meet, play - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"play out - play to a finish; "We have got to play this game out, even thought it is clear that we have last"field - play as a fieldercatch - be the catcher; "Who is catching?"bully off, face off - start a game by a face-offtee off - strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a holeace - play (a hole) in one strokecomplete, nail - complete a passgamble - play games for moneywalk - give a base on balls tobowl - engage in the sport of bowling; "My parents like to bowl on Friday nights"golf - play golfbandy - toss or strike a ball back and forthfoul - commit a foul; break the rulesput out - retire; "he was put out at third base on a long throw from left field"croquet - play a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoopsputt - hit a putt; "he lost because he putted so poorly"seesaw, teetertotter, teeter-totter - ride on a plankbid, call - make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands; "He called his trump"play out - play to a finish; "We have got to play this game out, even thought it is clear that we have last"
	2.	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 development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"play - behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
	3.	play - play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous mannerstrike up, sound off - start playing; "The musicians struck up a tune"perform - give a performance (of something); "Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight"; "We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera"spiel, play - replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"swing - play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythmplay - perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"symphonise, symphonize - play or sound together, in harmonyplay along, accompany, follow - perform an accompaniment to; "The orchestra could barely follow the frequent pitch changes of the soprano"bow - play on a string instrument with a bowbusk - play music in a public place and solicit money for it; "three young men were busking in the plaza"
	4.	play - 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"act, representperforming arts - arts or skills that require public performanceact as, act, play - pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"make believe, pretend, make - represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like; "She makes like an actress"re-create - create anew; "Re-create the boom of the West on a small scale"playact, roleplay, act, play - perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"support - play a subordinate role to (another performer); "Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act"play - pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"act out, enact, reenact - act out; represent or perform as if in a play; "She reenacted what had happened earlier that day"act out - represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage; "She could act neurotic anxiety"impersonate, portray - assume or act the character of; "She impersonates Madonna"; "The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man"parody - make a spoof of or make fun ofemote - give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
	5.	play - 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"roughhouse - engage in rough or disorderly playfool around, horse around, arse around, fool - indulge in horseplay; "Enough horsing around--let's get back to work!"; "The bored children were fooling about"frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, lark about, rollick, romp, run around, skylark, cavort, disport, sport - play boisterously; "The children frolicked in the garden"; "the gamboling lambs in the meadows"; "The toddlers romped in the playroom"recreate, play - engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"act - be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasuresplash around, dabble, paddle - play in or as if in water, as of small children
	6.	play - replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"spielre-create - create anew; "Re-create the boom of the West on a small scale"riff - play riffsmisplay - play incorrectly, e.g., play a wrong notefiddle - play on a violin; "Zuckerman fiddled that song very nicely"play - play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"replay - play (a melody) againprelude - play as a preludejazz - play something in the style of jazzrag - play in ragtime; "rag that old tune"bugle - play on a buglereprise, reprize, recapitulate, repeat - repeat an earlier theme of a compositionslur - play smoothly or legato; "the pianist slurred the most beautiful passage in the sonata"bang out - play loudly; "They banged out `The star-spangled banner'"modulate - change the key of, in music; "modulate the melody"tongue - articulate by tonguing, as when playing wind instruments
	7.	play - perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"music - musical activity (singing or whistling etc.); "his music was his central interest"music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous mannerplay - play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"register - manipulate the registers of an organskirl - play the bagpipesbeat - produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly; "beat the drum"tweedle - play negligently on a musical instrumentchord - play chords on (a string instrument)pipe - play on a pipe; "pipe a tune"drum - play a percussion instrumentharp - play the harp; "She harped the Saint-Saens beautifully"fiddle - play the violin or fiddletrumpet - play or blow on the trumpetclarion - blow the clarionsound - cause to sound; "sound the bell"; "sound a certain note"
	8.	play - pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"act as, actbehave, act, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"act, play, represent - 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"
	9.	play - move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast"
	10.	play - bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"gamble - play games for moneyunderplay - play a card lower than (a held high card)play - make bets; "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
	11.	play - engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"recreateplay - 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"
	12.	play - pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"act, play, represent - 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"sham, feign, simulate, assume - make a pretence of; "She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep"
	13.	play - emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"run, play - 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"sound - give off a certain sound or sounds; "This record sounds scratchy"
	14.	play - perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"performing arts - arts or skills that require public performanceperform - give a performance (of something); "Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight"; "We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera"playact, roleplay, act, play - perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
	15.	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"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"play - employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"play - use or move; "I had to play my queen"deploy - place troops or weapons in battle formationpitch - lead (a card) and establish the trump suitcover - play a higher card than the one previously played; "Smith covered again"declare - designate (a trump suit or no-trump) with the final bid of a hand
	16.	play - 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"toybehave, act, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"
	17.	play - behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"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 development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"
	18.	play - 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"runrun - cause to perform; "run a subject"; "run a process"play - emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"execute, run - carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine; "Run the dishwasher"; "run a new program on the Mac"; "the computer executed the instruction"
	19.	play - 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"diddle, toy, fiddlemanipulate - hold something in one's hands and move itput out, retire - cause to be out on a fielding play
	20.	play - use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"exploit, work - use or manipulate to one's advantage; "He exploit the new taxation system"; "She knows how to work the system"; "he works his parents for sympathy"
	21.	play - consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"trifle, dallylook at, deal, consider, take - take into consideration for exemplifying purposes; "Take the case of China"; "Consider the following case"dally, toy, flirt, play - behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young girl's affection"
	22.	play - 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"
	23.	play - behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young girl's affection"dally, toy, flirttrifle, dally, play - consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"
	24.	play - cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"move, displace - cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense; "Move those boxes into the corner, please"; "I'm moving my money to another bank"; "The director moved more responsibilities onto his new assistant"
	25.	play - perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"playact, roleplay, actdramatic art, dramaturgy, theater, theatre, dramatics - the art of writing and producing playsperform - give a performance (of something); "Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight"; "We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera"play - perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"play - be performed or presented for public viewing; "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"act, play, represent - 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"stooge - act as the stooge; "His role was to stooge for the popular comedian"pantomime, mime - act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only; "The acting students mimed eating an apple"ham, ham it up, overact, overplay - exaggerate one's actingunderact, underplay - act (a role) with great restraintact - be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
	26.	play - be performed or presented for public viewing; "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"performing arts - arts or skills that require public performancedebut - appear for the first time in public; "The new ballet that debuts next months at Covent Garden, is already sold out"playact, roleplay, act, play - perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
	27.	play - 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"make for, wreak, bring, workcreate, make - make or cause to be or to become; "make a mess in one's office"; "create a furor"work, act - have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water"
	28.	play - discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"discharge - pour forth or release; "discharge liquids"
	29.	play - make bets; "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"play - bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"wager, bet, play - stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
	30.	play - stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"wager, betgamble - play games for moneybet on, gage, game, stake, punt, back - place a bet on; "Which horse are you backing?"; "I'm betting on the new horse"play - make bets; "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"raise - bet more than the previous playersee - match or meet; "I saw the bet of one of my fellow players"
	31.	play - shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"encounter, take on, meet, play - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"hook - secure with the foot; "hook the ball"hit - cause to move by striking; "hit a ball"
	32.	play - use or move; "I had to play my queen"encounter, take on, meet, play - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"promote - change a pawn for a better piece by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it to the row closest to your opponentplay - 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"apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
	33.	play - employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"encounter, take on, meet, play - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"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"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
	34.	play - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"encounter, take on, meetplay - participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"confront, face - oppose, as in hostility or a competition; "You must confront your opponent"; "Jackson faced Smith in the boxing ring"; "The two enemies finally confronted each other"play - employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"play - use or move; "I had to play my queen"play - shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"replay - repeat a game against the same opponent; "Princeton replayed Harvard"
	35.	play - exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked fish"exhaust, tucker, tucker out, wash up, beat - wear out completely; "This kind of work exhausts me"; "I'm beat"; "He was all washed up after the exam"

play

verb1. amuse yourself, have fun, frolic, sport, fool, romp, revel, trifle, caper, frisk, gambol, entertain yourself, engage in games The children played in the garden.2. take part in, be involved in, engage in, participate in, compete in, be in a team for I used to play basketball.3. compete against, challenge, take on, rival, oppose, vie with, contend against Northern Ireland will play Latvia tomorrow.4. hit, pass, shoot, kick Think before playing the ball5. perform, carry out, execute Someone had played a trick on her.6. act, portray, represent, perform, impersonate, act the part of, take the part of, personate His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.7. perform on, strum, make music on Do you play the guitar?noun1. amusement, pleasure, leisure, games, sport, fun, entertainment, relaxation, a good time, recreation, enjoyment, romping, larks, capering, frolicking, junketing, fun and games, revelry, skylarking, living it up (informal), gambolling, horseplay, merrymaking Try to strike a balance between work and play. a few hours of play until you go to bed2. drama, show, performance, piece, comedy, entertainment, tragedy, farce, soap opera, pantomime, stage show, television drama, radio play, masque, dramatic piece The company put on a play about the homeless.3. movement, room, space, give (informal), swing, sweep, margin, slack, latitude, leeway, freedom of movement, elbowroom, free motion There should be just enough play to allow the trunk to expand.4. scope, room, range, freedom, licence, liberty, indulgence, latitude, free rein a dazzling picture book which allows imaginations full play5. operation, working, action, activity, movement, function, employment The play of chance may happen to favour either man.in play in or for fun, for sport, for a joke, for a lark (informal), as a prank, for a jest It was done only in play, but they got a ticking off from the police.play around1. fool around, toy, fiddle, trifle, mess around, take something lightly He's not working, he's just playing around.2. philander, have an affair, carry on (informal), fool around, dally, sleep around (informal), womanize, play away from home (informal) Up to 75 per cent of married men may be playing around.play at something pretend to be, pose as, impersonate, make like (U.S. & Canad. informal), profess to be, assume the role of, give the appearance of, masquerade as, pass yourself off as rich people just playing at being farmersplay ball cooperate, play the game, show willing, pitch in (informal), play along, go along with the plan I was waiting until I knew if you and Jack would play ball.play on or upon something take advantage of, abuse, exploit, impose on, trade on, misuse, milk, make use of, utilize, profit by, capitalize on, turn to your account I felt as if I was playing on her generosity.play something down minimize, make light of, gloss over, talk down, underrate, underplay, pooh-pooh (informal), soft-pedal (informal), make little of, set no store by Western diplomats have played down the significance of the reports.play something up emphasize, highlight, underline, magnify, stress, accentuate, foreground, point up, call attention to, turn the spotlight on, bring to the fore This increase in crime is definitely being played up by the media.play up1. (Brit. informal) hurt, be painful, bother you, trouble you, be sore, pain you, give you trouble, give you gyp (Brit. & N.Z. slang) My bad back is playing up again.2. (Brit. informal) malfunction, not work properly, be on the blink (slang), be wonky (Brit. slang) The engine has started playing up.3. (Brit. informal) be awkward, misbehave, give trouble, be disobedient, give someone grief (Brit. & S. African), be stroppy (Brit. slang), be bolshie (Brit. informal) The kids always play up in his class.play up to someone (Informal) butter up, flatter, pander to, crawl to, get in with, suck up to (informal), curry favour with, toady, fawn over, keep someone sweet, kiss someone's ass (U.S. & Canad. taboo slang), brown-nose (taboo slang), bootlick (informal), ingratiate yourself to She plays up to journalists in the media.play with something toy with, wiggle, fiddle with, jiggle, waggle, mess about with, fidget with She played idly with the strap of her handbag.Quotations
"The play's the thing"
"Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" [William Shakespeare Hamlet]
"Play it Sam. Play `As Time Goes By'" [J. Epstein, P. Epstein, H. Koch and M. Curtiz Casablanca]

play

verb1. To occupy oneself with amusement or diversion:disport, recreate, sport.2. To move one's fingers or hands in a nervous or aimless fashion:fiddle, fidget, fool, monkey, putter, tinker, toy, trifle, twiddle.3. To make a bet:bet, gamble, game, lay, wager.Idiom: put one's money on something.4. To treat lightly or flippantly:dally, flirt, toy, trifle.5. To play the part of:act, do, enact, impersonate, perform, play-act, portray, represent.6. To make music:perform.7. To perform according to one's artistic conception:execute, interpret, render.8. To be performed:run, show.9. To control to one's own advantage by artful or indirect means:exploit, maneuver, manipulate.10. To cause to undergo or bear (something unwelcome or damaging, for example):impose, inflict, visit, wreak.phrasal verb
play alongInformal. To agree to cooperate or participate:go along.phrasal verb
play aroundInformal. To be sexually unfaithful to another:philander, womanize.Informal: cheat, fool around, mess around.phrasal verb
play downTo make less emphatic or obvious:de-emphasize, tone down.Informal: soft-pedal.phrasal verb
play offTo place in opposition or be in opposition to:counter, match, oppose, pit.Idioms: bump heads with, meet head-on, set at odds, set at someone's throat, trade blows.phrasal verb
play out1. To cause (a line) to become longer and less taut:unreel, unroll, unwind.2. To use all of:consume, drain, draw down, eat up, exhaust, expend, finish, run through, spend, use up.Informal: polish off.3. To make or become no longer active or productive:deplete, desiccate, dry up, give out, run out.phrasal verb
play upTo accord emphasis to:accent, accentuate, emphasize, feature, highlight, italicize, point up, stress, underline, underscore.noun1. Activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement:disport, diversion, fun, recreation, sport.2. Actions taken as a joke:fun, game, sport.3. The act of putting into play:application, employment, exercise, exertion, implementation, operation, usage, use, utilization.4. Suitable opportunity to accept or allow something:elbowroom, latitude, leeway, margin, room, scope.5. Ease of or space for movement:elbowroom, freedom.

Translations

演奏玩玩弄进行比赛闪动

play

(plei) verb1. to amuse oneself. The child is playing in the garden; He is playing with his toys; The little girl wants to play with her friends.玩2. to take part in (games etc). He plays football; He is playing in goal; Here's a pack of cards – who wants to play (with me)?; I'm playing golf with him this evening. 做游戏，参加比赛 3. to act in a play etc; to act (a character). She's playing Lady Macbeth; The company is playing in London this week.扮演4. (of a play etc) to be performed. `Oklahoma' is playing at the local theatre.上演5. to (be able to) perform on (a musical instrument). She plays the piano; Who was playing the piano this morning?; He plays (the oboe) in an orchestra.演奏6. (usually with on) to carry out or do (a trick). He played a trick on me.玩弄7. (usually with at) to compete against (someone) in a game etc. I'll play you at tennis.同...比赛8. (of light) to pass with a flickering movement. The firelight played across the ceiling.闪动9. to direct (over or towards something). The firemen played their hoses over the burning house.喷射10. to put down or produce (a playing-card) as part of a card game. He played the seven of hearts. 出（牌） noun1. recreation; amusement. A person must have time for both work and play.消遣2. an acted story; a drama. Shakespeare wrote many great plays.戏剧3. the playing of a game. At the start of today's play, England was leading India by fifteen runs. （体育）比赛 4. freedom of movement (eg in part of a machine). （机器）空转 ˈplayer noun比赛者ˈplayable adjective (negative unplayable) (of a ground, pitch etc) not good enough for a game to be played on it. Because of the rain the referee decided the ground was not playable.适于游戏的ˈplayful adjective1. happy; full of the desire to play. a playful kitten.爱玩的2. joking; not serious. a playful remark.开玩笑的ˈplayfully adverb 幽默地，开玩笑地 ˈplayfulness noun 幽默，好玩的，十分有趣的 ˈplayboy noun a rich man who spends his time and money on pleasure. 花花公子ˈplayground noun an area in which children can play in a park, outside a school etc. （运动）游戏场 ˈplaying-card noun one of a pack of cards used in card games. 扑克牌ˈplaying-field noun a field which is specially prepared and used for sport. 运动场ˈplaymate noun a childhood friend. 儿童时期玩耍的伙伴ˈplaypen noun a small wooden structure with bars on every side in which a small child can play safely. （供幼儿在内玩耍的）护栏 ˈplayschool noun an informal nursery school. （非正式）幼儿园 ˈplaything noun a toy. 玩具ˈplaytime noun a set time for children to play (at school etc). The children go outside at playtime.娱乐时间ˈplaywright noun a person who writes plays. He is a famous playwright.剧作家at play playing. children at play.在玩耍bring/come into play to (cause to) be used or exercised. The job allowed him to bring all his talents into play.发挥child's play something that is very easy. Of course you can do it – it's child's play!极易的事in play, out of play (of a ball) according to the rules of the game, (not) in a position where it can be hit, kicked etc. （球赛中的）活球，死球 play at1. to pretend to be etc. The children were playing at cowboys and Indians.假装2. used when asking angrily what someone is doing. What does he think he's playing at (=doing)? 对某人敷衍了事行为表示不满 play back to play (music, speech etc) on a record or tape after it has just been recorded (noun ˈplay-back) 播放play down to try to make (something) appear less important. He played down the fact that he had failed the exam.贬低play fair to act honestly and fairly. 公平地行动，公平竞争 play for time to delay an action, decision etc in the hope that conditions will improve. 为争取时间而拖延play havoc with to cause a lot of damage to. The storm played havoc with the farmer's crops.对...造成严重破坏play into someone's hands to do exactly what an opponent or enemy wants one to do. 为某人利益而干play off (in games) to play a final deciding game after a draw (noun ˈplay-off) 加时赛（平局后再赛以决胜负） play off against to set (one person) against (another) in order to gain an advantage. He played his father off against his mother to get more pocket money. 在...之间拨弄是非（以图从中取利） play on to make use of (someone's feelings, fears etc). He played on my sympathy until I lent him $10.利用play a/no part in (not) to be one of the people who are doing (something). He played no part in the robbery. 参与（没有参与）... play safe to take no risks. 不冒险play the game to act fairly and honestly. 行动光明正大play up to be troublesome or disobedient. The children are playing up today.令人烦恼

play

→ 游戏zhCN, 演奏zhCN, 进行比赛zhCN

Where can we go to see a play? → 哪儿有剧院？
Where can we hear local musicians play? → 哪儿能听本地音乐家的音乐会？
We'd like to play tennis → 我们想打网球
Where can I play tennis? → 哪儿能打网球？
Where can I play golf? → 哪儿能打高尔夫？
Let's play soccer (US)
Let's play football (UK) → 我们来踢足球吧
Can I play video games? → 我能玩电子游戏吗？
Is there a playground near here? (US)
Is there a play park near here? (UK) → 附近有游乐园吗？

play

all
verb
noun
phrase

Synonyms for play

verb amuse yourself

Synonyms

amuse yourself
have fun
frolic
sport
fool
romp
revel
trifle
caper
frisk
gambol
entertain yourself
engage in games

verb take part in

Synonyms

take part in
be involved in
engage in
participate in
compete in
be in a team for

verb compete against

Synonyms

compete against
challenge
take on
rival
oppose
vie with
contend against

verb hit

Synonyms

hit
pass
shoot
kick

verb perform

Synonyms

perform
carry out
execute

verb act

Synonyms

act
portray
represent
perform
impersonate
act the part of
take the part of
personate

verb perform on

Synonyms

perform on
strum
make music on

noun amusement

Synonyms

amusement
pleasure
leisure
games
sport
fun
entertainment
relaxation
a good time
recreation
enjoyment
romping
larks
capering
frolicking
junketing
fun and games
revelry
skylarking
living it up
gambolling
horseplay
merrymaking

noun drama

Synonyms

drama
show
performance
piece
comedy
entertainment
tragedy
farce
soap opera
pantomime
stage show
television drama
radio play
masque
dramatic piece

noun movement

Synonyms

movement
room
space
give
swing
sweep
margin
slack
latitude
leeway
freedom of movement
elbowroom
free motion

noun scope

Synonyms

scope
room
range
freedom
licence
liberty
indulgence
latitude
free rein

noun operation

Synonyms

operation
working
action
activity
movement
function
employment

phrase in play

Synonyms

in or for fun
for sport
for a joke
for a lark
as a prank
for a jest

phrase play around: fool around

Synonyms

fool around
toy
fiddle
trifle
mess around
take something lightly

phrase play around: philander

Synonyms

philander
have an affair
carry on
fool around
dally
sleep around
womanize
play away from home

phrase play at something

Synonyms

pretend to be
pose as
impersonate
make like
profess to be
assume the role of
give the appearance of
masquerade as
pass yourself off as

phrase play ball

Synonyms

cooperate
play the game
show willing
pitch in
play along
go along with the plan

phrase play on or upon something

Synonyms

take advantage of
abuse
exploit
impose on
trade on
misuse
milk
make use of
utilize
profit by
capitalize on
turn to your account

phrase play something down

Synonyms

minimize
make light of
gloss over
talk down
underrate
underplay
pooh-pooh
soft-pedal
make little of
set no store by

phrase play something up

Synonyms

emphasize
highlight
underline
magnify
stress
accentuate
foreground
point up
call attention to
turn the spotlight on
bring to the fore

phrase play up: hurt

Synonyms

hurt
be painful
bother you
trouble you
be sore
pain you
give you trouble
give you gyp

phrase play up: malfunction

Synonyms

malfunction
not work properly
be on the blink
be wonky

phrase play up: be awkward

Synonyms

be awkward
misbehave
give trouble
be disobedient
give someone grief
be stroppy
be bolshie

phrase play up to someone

Synonyms

butter up
flatter
pander to
crawl to
get in with
suck up to
curry favour with
toady
fawn over
keep someone sweet
kiss someone's ass
brown-nose
bootlick
ingratiate yourself to

phrase play with something

Synonyms

toy with
wiggle
fiddle with
jiggle
waggle
mess about with
fidget with

Synonyms for play

verb to occupy oneself with amusement or diversion

Synonyms

disport
recreate
sport

verb to move one's fingers or hands in a nervous or aimless fashion

Synonyms

fiddle
fidget
fool
monkey
putter
tinker
toy
trifle
twiddle

verb to make a bet

Synonyms

bet
gamble
game
lay
wager

verb to treat lightly or flippantly

Synonyms

dally
flirt
toy
trifle

verb to play the part of

Synonyms

act
do
enact
impersonate
perform
play-act
portray
represent

verb to make music

Synonyms

perform

verb to perform according to one's artistic conception

Synonyms

execute
interpret
render

verb to be performed

Synonyms

run
show

verb to control to one's own advantage by artful or indirect means

Synonyms

exploit
maneuver
manipulate

verb to cause to undergo or bear (something unwelcome or damaging, for example)

Synonyms

impose
inflict
visit
wreak

phrase play along: to agree to cooperate or participate

Synonyms

go along

phrase play around: to be sexually unfaithful to another

Synonyms

philander
womanize
cheat
fool around
mess around

phrase play down: to make less emphatic or obvious

Synonyms

de-emphasize
tone down
soft-pedal

phrase play off: to place in opposition or be in opposition to

Synonyms

counter
match
oppose
pit

phrase play out: to cause (a line) to become longer and less taut

Synonyms

unreel
unroll
unwind

phrase play out: to use all of

Synonyms

consume
drain
draw down
eat up
exhaust
expend
finish
run through
spend
use up
polish off

phrase play out: to make or become no longer active or productive

Synonyms

deplete
desiccate
dry up
give out
run out

phrase play up: to accord emphasis to

Synonyms

accent
accentuate
emphasize
feature
highlight
italicize
point up
stress
underline
underscore

noun activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement

Synonyms

disport
diversion
fun
recreation
sport

noun actions taken as a joke

Synonyms

fun
game
sport

noun the act of putting into play

Synonyms

application
employment
exercise
exertion
implementation
operation
usage
use
utilization

noun suitable opportunity to accept or allow something

Synonyms

elbowroom
latitude
leeway
margin
room
scope

noun ease of or space for movement

Synonyms

elbowroom
freedom

Synonyms for play

noun a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Synonyms

drama
dramatic play

Related Words

drama
stage direction
dramatic composition
dramatic work
Grand Guignol
theater of the absurd
playlet
act
miracle play
morality play
mystery play
Passion play
satyr play

noun a theatrical performance of a drama

Related Words

show
musical
musical comedy
musical theater
curtain raiser

noun a preset plan of action in team sports

Related Words

knock on
power play
football play
razmataz
razzle
razzle-dazzle
razzmatazz
basketball play
plan of action

noun a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Synonyms

maneuver
manoeuvre

Related Words

movement
move
motion
athletic game
takeaway
figure
completion
pass completion
ball hawking
assist
icing the puck
icing
jugglery
obstruction
baseball play
footwork
stroke
shot
blitz
linebacker blitzing
safety blitz
trap play
mousetrap

noun a state in which action is feasible

Related Words

activeness
activity
action

noun utilization or exercise

Related Words

usage
use
utilisation
utilization
exercise
employment

noun an attempt to get something

Synonyms

Related Words

attempt
effort
try
endeavor
endeavour

noun activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Synonyms

child's play

Related Words

diversion
recreation
house
doctor
fireman

noun (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Synonyms

period of play
playing period

Related Words

quantity
measure
amount
game
athletic game
golf hole
hole
chukka
chukker
inning
frame
set
bout
round
turn
first period
second period
final period
half
period
quarter
over

noun the removal of constraints

Synonyms

free rein

Related Words

freedom

noun a weak and tremulous light

Synonyms

shimmer

Related Words

alteration
change
modification

noun verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

Synonyms

fun
sport

Related Words

humor
wit
witticism
wittiness
humour
jocosity
jocularity
waggery
waggishness
drollery
funniness
clowning
comedy
paronomasia
pun
punning
wordplay

noun movement or space for movement

Synonyms

looseness

Related Words

movability
movableness
wiggliness
slackness
slack

noun gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Synonyms

frolic
gambol
romp
caper

Related Words

diversion
recreation
coquetry
flirtation
flirting
toying
dalliance
flirt
foolery
tomfoolery
lunacy
craziness
folly
indulgence
game
horseplay
teasing
word play

noun (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Synonyms

turn

Related Words

move
starting
start
activity
game
innings
attack
down
at-bat
bat
lead
trumping
ruff
trick

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)

Synonyms

gambling
gaming

Related Words

diversion
recreation
sporting life
wager
bet
gambling game
game of chance
vice
throw

noun the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Synonyms

swordplay

Related Words

action
fencing

verb participate in games or sport

Related Words

compete
vie
contend
line up
curl
snooker
revoke
develop
die
misplay
start
fumble
volley
unblock
replay
cricket
backstop
fullback
quarterback
cradle
exit
encounter
take on
meet
play
play out
field
catch
bully off
face off
tee off
ace
complete
nail
gamble
walk
bowl
golf
bandy
foul
put out
croquet
putt
seesaw
teetertotter
teeter-totter
bid
call

verb act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Related Words

act
move
play

verb play on an instrument

Related Words

music
strike up
sound off
perform
spiel
play
swing
symphonise
symphonize
play along
accompany
follow
bow
busk

verb play a role or part

Synonyms

act
represent

Related Words

performing arts
act as
act
play
make believe
pretend
make
re-create
playact
roleplay
support
act out
enact
reenact
impersonate
portray
parody
emote

verb be at play

Related Words

roughhouse
fool around
horse around
arse around
fool
frisk
frolic
gambol
lark
lark about
rollick
romp
run around
skylark
cavort
disport
sport
recreate
play
act
splash around
dabble
paddle

verb replay (as a melody)

Synonyms

spiel

Related Words

re-create
riff
misplay
fiddle
play
replay
prelude
jazz
rag
bugle
reprise
reprize
recapitulate
repeat
slur
bang out
modulate
tongue

verb perform music on (a musical instrument)

Related Words

music
play
register
skirl
beat
tweedle
chord
pipe
drum
harp
fiddle
trumpet
clarion
sound

verb pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Synonyms

act as
act

Related Words

behave
act
do
play
represent

verb move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Related Words

go
locomote
move
travel

verb bet or wager (money)

Related Words

gamble
underplay
play

verb engage in recreational activities rather than work

Synonyms

recreate

Related Words

play

verb pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Related Words

act
play
represent
sham
feign
simulate
assume

verb emit recorded sound

Related Words

run
play
sound

verb perform on a certain location

Related Words

performing arts
perform
playact
roleplay
act
play

verb put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Related Words

play
deploy
pitch
cover
declare

verb engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Synonyms

Related Words

behave
act
do

verb behave in a certain way

Related Words

act
move
play

verb cause to emit recorded audio or video

Synonyms

Related Words

run
play
execute

verb manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Synonyms

diddle
toy
fiddle

Related Words

manipulate
put out
retire

verb use to one's advantage

Related Words

exploit
work

verb consider not very seriously

Synonyms

trifle
dally

Related Words

look at
deal
consider
take
dally
toy
flirt
play

verb behave carelessly or indifferently

Synonyms

dally
toy
flirt

Related Words

trifle
dally
play
act
move

verb cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Related Words

move
displace

verb perform on a stage or theater

Synonyms

playact
roleplay
act

Related Words

dramatic art
dramaturgy
theater
theatre
dramatics
perform
play
act
represent
stooge
pantomime
mime
ham
ham it up
overact
overplay
underact
underplay

verb be performed or presented for public viewing

Related Words

performing arts
debut
playact
roleplay
act
play

verb cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Synonyms

make for
wreak
bring
work

Related Words

create
make
work
act

verb discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Related Words

discharge

verb make bets

Related Words

play
wager
bet

verb stake on the outcome of an issue

Synonyms

wager
bet

Related Words

gamble
bet on
gage
game
stake
punt
back
play
raise
see

verb shoot or hit in a particular manner

Related Words

encounter
take on
meet
play
hook
hit

verb use or move

Related Words

encounter
take on
meet
play
promote
apply
employ
use
utilise
utilize

verb employ in a game or in a specific position

Related Words

encounter
take on
meet
play
apply
employ
use
utilise
utilize

verb contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Synonyms

encounter
take on
meet

Related Words

play
confront
face
replay

verb exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Related Words

exhaust
tucker
tucker out
wash up
beat

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

play

Play

REFERENCES

play

play

play

PLAY

play

play

play

play

Patient discussion about play

play

Play

play

PLAY

play

Synonyms for play

verb amuse yourself

Synonyms

verb take part in

Synonyms

verb compete against

Synonyms

verb hit

Synonyms

verb perform

Synonyms

verb act

Synonyms

verb perform on

Synonyms

noun amusement

Synonyms

noun drama

Synonyms

noun movement

Synonyms

noun scope

Synonyms

noun operation

Synonyms

phrase in play

Synonyms

phrase play around: fool around

Synonyms

phrase play around: philander

Synonyms

phrase play at something

Synonyms

phrase play ball

Synonyms

phrase play on or upon something

Synonyms

phrase play something down

Synonyms

phrase play something up

Synonyms

phrase play up: hurt

Synonyms

phrase play up: malfunction

Synonyms

phrase play up: be awkward

Synonyms

phrase play up to someone