play

[ pley ]

/ pleɪ /

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See synonyms for: play / played / playing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a dramatic composition or piece; drama.

a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.

a pun: On this article about encroaching grizzlies, the headline “Bear with us” is a play on the word “bear.”

the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.

the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.

an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.

one's turn to play: Whose play is it?

a playing for stakes; gambling.

an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver: They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play.

an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play.

action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play;foul play.

action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy.

brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water.

elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky.

a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.

freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism.

freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind.

attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.

an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor's speech got two plays on our local station.

verb (used with object)

to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth.

to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage.

to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor.

to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool;to play God.

to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities.

to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).

to contend against in a game.

to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left field.

to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card.

to use as if in playing a game, as for one's own advantage: He played his brothers against each other.

to stake or wager, as in a game.

to lay a wager or wagers on (something).

to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play pirates.

to perform on (a musical instrument).

to perform (music) on an instrument.

to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: Do you mind if I play the radio?Stop playing YouTube videos and get to work!

to do or perform: You shouldn't play tricks.Compromise plays an important part in marriage.

to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch.

to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain.

to operate or cause to operate, especially continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire.

to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.

to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), especially prominently: Play the flood photos on page one.

to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.

to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously.

to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often followed by with).

to take part or engage in a game.

to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.

to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair.

to act on or as if on the stage; perform.

to perform on a musical instrument.

(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening.

(of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night.

to be performed or shown: What's playing at the movie theater around the corner?

to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well.

Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator's proposal play with the public?

to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.

to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air.

to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors.

to operate continuously or with repeated action.

Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play.

Verb Phrases

play along,

to cooperate or concur; go along.
to pretend to cooperate or concur.

play around, Informal.

to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around.
to be sexually promiscuous.
to be sexually unfaithful.

play at,

to pretend interest in: It's obvious that you're just playing at fishing for my sake.
to do something without seriousness: He is merely playing at being a student.

play back, to play (a recording, especially one newly made): Play it back and let's hear how I sound.

play down, to treat as of little importance; minimize: He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise.

play off,

Sports. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie.
Sports. to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion.
to set (one person or thing) against another, usually for one's own gain or advantage: The children could usually get what they wanted by playing one parent off against the other.

play on / upon to exploit, as the feelings or weaknesses of another; take selfish advantage of: She would never think of playing on the good nature of others.

play out,

to evolve or progress toward a conclusion; unfold; turn out: Right now it’s too early to tell how all this will play out.
to come or bring to an end; finish: The full consequences of the decision have yet to be played out.
to play to the end of (something): When the camera started rolling, I knew exactly how much time I had to play out the full scene.
to use up or be used up; exhaust or be exhausted: Mining towns quickly sprouted, and just as quickly disappeared once the coal supply played out.And when that groundwater supply is played out, then what?
to reel or pay out, as a rope, line, etc.: By the time he reached the bottom of the cavern, his friends on the surface had played out 150 feet of rope.

play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize: The schools are playing up their science programs.

OTHER WORDS FOR play

2 show.

3 diversion, pastime.

18, 19 freedom.

23 enact.

25 personate, impersonate.

30 use.

32 bet.

33 back.

45 sport, frolic, romp, revel.

47 dally.

See synonyms for play on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR play

3 work.

See antonyms for play on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about play

bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial.

come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We're a small new business, but we came to play.

in / out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play.

make a play for, Informal.

to try to attract, especially sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend.
to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets.

play ball. ball¹ (def. 26).

play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself.

play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct.

played out,

exhausted; weary.
out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York.
used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced.

play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, especially to employ deception to gain one's ends: to play fast and loose with someone's affections.

play for time, to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision: Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time.

play hardball. hardball (def. 4).

play into someone's hands, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, especially an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands.Also play into the hands of .

play it by ear, to improvise, especially in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors: If you can't come up with a plan, we'll just have to play it by ear.

play it safe, to act cautiously; avoid risk or danger: She usually plays it safe on the red carpet, wearing simple, classic designs.Also play safe .

play one's cards right. card¹ (def. 22).

play politics. politics (def. 8).

play possum. possum (def. 3).

play second fiddle. second fiddle (def. 2).

play the field. field (def. 39).

play the game. game¹ (def. 29).

play up to, Informal. to attempt to impress in order to gain someone's favor: Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates.

play with a full deck. deck (def. 23).

play with fire. fire (def. 57).

play with oneself, Informal. to masturbate.

Origin of play

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English plei(e) “merriment, sport, pleasure,” Old English plega “quick movement, play” (as in swordplay); (verb) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien “to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad”)

synonym study for play

3. Play, game, sport refer to forms of diverting activity. Play is the general word for any such form of activity, often undirected, spontaneous, or random: Childhood should be a time for play. Game refers to a recreational contest, mental or physical, usually governed by set rules: a game of chess. Besides referring to an individual contest, game may refer to a pastime as a whole: Golf is a good game. If, however, the pastime is one (usually an outdoor one) depending chiefly on physical strength, though not necessarily a contest, the word sport is applied: Football is a vigorous sport.

OTHER WORDS FROM play

play·ing·ly, adverbplay·less, adjectiveplay·like, adjectivecoun·ter·play, noun

non·play·ing, adjectiveself-play·ing, adjectiveun·played, adjectiveun·play·ing, adjectivewell-played, adjective

Words nearby play

plaudit, Plauen, plausible, plausive, Plautus, play, playa, playability, playable, playact, play-action pass

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.”

Did you know ... ?

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

How to use play in a sentence

You can say this verbatim because it doesn’t put his chef-feelings in play.
Carolyn Hax: How to improve on ‘I cook, you clean’ without stirring the pot|Carolyn Hax|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Also working in the Capitals’ favor has been an unexpected week off — the result of three games postponed because of coronavirus issues — after less than a month of play.
For first time in three weeks, Capitals could be at full strength Sunday|Samantha Pell|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
There is at least some indication that Williams might also be struggling with her very next stroke following a return hit in play.
How Serena Williams Could Finally Break The Grand Slam Record|Amy Lundy|February 10, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
So far during Big Ten play, 17 men’s basketball games have been postponed.
Big Ten moves men’s basketball tournament to Indianapolis|Emily Giambalvo|February 9, 2021|Washington Post

He believed his front seven could stop running plays even with the safeties backed up.
What went wrong for the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes in a brutal Super Bowl defeat|Adam Kilgore|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
Have there been discussions with FX regarding an Archer movie, and how do you think that would play out?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Father Joel Román Salazar died in a car crash in 2013; his death was ruled an accident, but the suspicion of foul play persists.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He plays an aging punk rocker and I play the drummer from his old band.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When fathers hold and play with their children, oxytocin and prolactin kick in, priming them for bonding.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Ironically, the play deals with the ‘management’ of information by the Establishment.
Harry’s Daddy, and Diana’s ‘Murder’: Royal Rumors In a New Play|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I assure you, no matter how beautifully we play any piece, the minute Liszt plays it, you would scarcely recognize it!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
But I hope at least to play to him a few times, and what is more important, to hear him play repeatedly.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
To fill up the time till Liszt came, our hostess made us play, one after the other, beginning with the latest arrival.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Again the sallow fingers began to play with the book-covers, passing from one to another, but always slowly and gently.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Her attachment to impressionism leads this artist to many experiments in color—or, as one critic wrote, "to play with color."
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement

British Dictionary definitions for play

play

/ (pleɪ) /

verb

to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game)

(tr) to contend against (an opponent) in a sport or gameEd played Tony at chess and lost

to fulfil or cause to fulfil (a particular role) in a team gamehe plays defence; he plays in the defence

(tr) to address oneself to (a ball) in a gameplay the ball not the man

(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

(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?

to act out or perform (a dramatic production)

to give a performance in (a place) or (of a performance) to be given in a place

(intr) to be receivedHow will these policies play in Middle England?

to have the ability to perform on (a musical instrument)David plays the harp

to perform (on a musical instrument) as specifiedhe plays out of tune

(tr)

to reproduce (a tune, melody, piece of music, note, etc) on an instrument
to perform works by (a specific composer)to play Brahms

to discharge or cause to dischargehe played the water from the hose onto the garden

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

to move or cause to move freely, quickly, or irregularlylights played on the scenery

(tr) stock exchange to speculate or operate aggressively for gain in (a market)

(tr) angling to attempt to tire (a hooked fish) by alternately letting out and reeling in line and by using the rod's flexibility

to put (a card, counter, piece, etc) into play

to gamble (money) on a game

play ball informal to cooperate

play fair or play fair with someone to prove oneself fair in one's dealings

play false or play fair with someone to prove oneself unfair in one's dealings

play by ear See ear 1 (def. 19)

play for time to delay the outcome of some activity so as to gain time to one's own advantage

play into the hands of to act directly to the advantage of (an opponent)

play the fool See fool 1 (def. 7)

play the game See game 1 (def. 22)

noun

a dramatic composition written for performance by actors on a stage, on television, etc; drama

the performance of a dramatic composition
(in combination)playreader

games, exercise, or other activity undertaken for pleasure, diversion, etc, esp by children
(in combination)playroom
(as modifier)play dough

manner of action, conduct, or playingfair play

the playing or conduct of a game or the period during which a game is in progressrain stopped play

US and Canadian a move or manoeuvre in a gamea brilliant play

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)

a turn to playit's my play

the act of playing for stakes; gambling

action, activity, or operationthe play of the imagination

freedom of or scope or space for movementtoo much play in the rope

light, free, or rapidly shifting motionthe play of light on the water

fun, jest, or jokingI only did it in play

call into play to bring into operation

make a play for informal

to make an obvious attempt to gain
to attempt to attract or seduce

See also play along, playback, play down, play off, play on, play out, play up, play with

Derived forms of play

playability, nounplayable, adjective

Word Origin for play

Old English plega (n), plegan (vb); related to Middle Dutch pleyen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with play

play

In addition to the idioms beginning with play

play along
play a losing game
play around
play at
play a waiting game
play back
play ball
play both ends against the middle
play by ear
play cat and mouse
play down
played out
play fair
play false
play fast and loose
play footsie
play for
play for keeps
play for laughs
play for time
play games
play hardball
play hard to get
play havoc
play hide and seek
play hooky
play in Peoria
play into the hands of
play it close to one's chest
play it cool
play it safe
play musical chairs
play off
play on
play one's cards close to one's chest
play one's cards right
play one's trump card
play on words
play out
play politics
play possum
play safe
play second fiddle
play the devil with
play the field
play the fool
play the game
play the heavy
play the market
play to the gallery
play up
play upon
play up to
play with fire

also see:

all work and no play
child's play
devil's advocate, play
fair play
foul play
game that two can play
grandstand play
in play
make a play for
musical chairs, play
squeeze play
trump card, play one's

play

OTHER WORDS FOR play

OPPOSITES FOR play

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?

Where does play come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is play used in real life?

Try using play!

Words related to play

How to use play in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for play

Derived forms of play

Word Origin for play

Other Idioms and Phrases with play