Idioms about play
Origin of play
synonym study for play
OTHER WORDS FROM play
Words nearby play
MORE ABOUT PLAY
What is a basic definition of play?
A play is a performance that is done on a stage or in a theater. Play also means to engage in a fun activity or to emit sound or video from a media device. Play has many other senses as both a noun and a verb.
In theater, a play is a performance during which actors recite lines from a script and perform the actions of the characters. The written work that includes the dialogue and story is also called a play. A person who writes plays is known as a playwright.
Real-life examples: Famous plays include Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.
Used in a sentence: My boyfriend and I are going to see a play tomorrow.
Play means to engage in something fun or enjoyable. A person who plays is called a player.
Real-life examples: Children play games during recess. Athletes play sports. Musicians play instruments. Gamblers play card games. Animal lovers play with their pets.
Used in a sentence: I like to play basketball with my friends after school.
Play also means to produce sound or images on a media device.
Real-life examples: A “play button” on a remote control or a YouTube video is what you press to tell a device, program, or app to begin producing sound and/or video. The play symbol usually resembles a triangle pointed to the right.
Used in a sentence: The DJ booth played great music while everybody danced.
Where does play come from?
The first records of the word play come from before 900. As a noun, it ultimately comes from the Old English plega. As a verb, it ultimately comes from the Old English plegian, which is related to the Middle Dutch pleien, meaning “to leap for joy” or “to rejoice.”
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What are some other forms related to play?
- playingly (adverb)
- playless (adjective)
- playlike (adjective)
- counterplay (noun)
- playability (noun)
- playable (adjective)
What are some synonyms for play?
What are some words that share a root or word element with play?
What are some words that often get used in discussing play?
How is play used in real life?
Play is most often used to mean someone is having fun or is using a media device to entertain themselves.
I am 30 years old. I am graduating from grad school next month (knock on wood). I just had a stress dream where I ruined my high school play because I didn't know my lines.
— the third mel in the spice girls (@shorthoneybee) November 9, 2020
I am having a hard time studying for my economics final for many reasons but the biggest thing is every time I read about monopolies I just want to play monopoly
— Molly O'Regan (@MollyORegan23) November 19, 2020
Moms love playing videos on their phone at max volume
— maya (@mayajkn) November 24, 2020
Try using play!
Which of the following words is most closely related to play?
A. fun
B. boredom
C. work
D. stress