play
/plˈeɪ/noun, verb1 syllable
Play means: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.
Synonyms for play53
noun, as in gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
noun, as in a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
noun, as in a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
noun, as in (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
noun, as in verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
noun, as in the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
noun, as in an attempt to get something
noun, as in activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
noun, as in the removal of constraints
noun, as in a weak and tremulous light
noun, as in movement or space for movement
noun, as in (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
noun, as in the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
verb, as in pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
verb, as in perform on a certain location
verb, as in be performed or presented for public viewing
verb, as in play on an instrument
verb, as in be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
verb, as in replay (as a melody)
verb, as in engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
verb, as in emit recorded sound
verb, as in engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
What does play mean?52
verb
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind“He acted the idiot”
play a role or part“Gielgud played Hamlet”
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence“I cannot work a miracle”
consider not very seriously“He is trifling with her”
behave carelessly or indifferently“Play about with a young girl's affection”
perform on a stage or theater“She acts in this play”
participate in games or sport“We played hockey all afternoon”
perform on a certain location“The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16”
cause to emit recorded audio or video“They ran the tapes over and over again”
manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination“She played nervously with her wedding ring”
be performed or presented for public viewing“What's playing in the local movie theater?”
shoot or hit in a particular manner“She played a good backhand last night”
use or move“I had to play my queen”
employ in a game or in a specific position“They played him on first base”
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle“Princeton plays Yale this weekend”
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity“Let's play like I am mommy”
make bets“Play the races”
stake on the outcome of an issue“I bet $100 on that new horse”
play on an instrument“The band played all night long”
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children“The kids were playing outside all day”
replay (as a melody)“Play it again, Sam”
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion“On weekends I play”
emit recorded sound“The tape was playing for hours”
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously“They played games on their opponents”
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”
perform music on (a musical instrument)“He plays the flute”
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly“The spotlights played on the politicians”
bet or wager (money)“He played $20 on the new horse”
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”
behave in a certain way“play safe”
use to one's advantage“She plays on her clients' emotions”
be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way“This speech didn't play well with the American public”
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space“The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack”
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream“play water from a hose”
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line“play a hooked fish”
noun
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement“it was all done in play”
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage“he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway”
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill“he made a great maneuver”
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds“rain stopped play in the 4th inning”
verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)“he became a figure of fun”
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”
an attempt to get something“they made a futile play for power”
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules“Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child”
the removal of constraints“he gave free rein to his impulses”
a weak and tremulous light“the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers”
movement or space for movement“there was too much play in the steering wheel”
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession“it is my turn”
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
a theatrical performance of a drama“the play lasted two hours”
a preset plan of action in team sports“the coach drew up the plays for her team”
a state in which action is feasible“the ball was still in play”
utilization or exercise“the play of the imagination”
Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
What rhymes with play?60
Show 40 near rhymes
Play in a sentence
- Beethoven goes to the piano, sits down at it, and begins to play.AlanF_US
- If it is fine tomorrow, we will play baseball.CC
- By the way, do you play the violin?CK
- Even though it is raining, he will play golf.Zifre
- In such a case, restraints in fiscal policy must be brought into play.unknown
- You play the guitar quite like a professional, don't you?Zifre
- Talking of sports, what sports do you play?unknown
- As soon as he got home, he began to play a computer game.CK
Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.
Forms of play
as a noun
- plural
- plays
as a verb
- past tense
- played
- present participle
- playing
- third-person singular
- plays