play

Definitions of play in various dictionaries:

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

noun - a theatrical performance of a drama

noun - a preset plan of action in team sports

noun - a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

noun - a state in which action is feasible

noun - utilization or exercise

noun - an attempt to get something

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

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

noun - the removal of constraints

noun - a weak and tremulous light

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

noun - movement or space for movement

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

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

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)

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

verb - participate in games or sport

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

verb - play on an instrument

verb - play a role or part

verb - be at play

verb - replay (as a melody)

verb - perform music on (a musical instrument)

verb - pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

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

verb - bet or wager (money)

verb - engage in recreational activities rather than work

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

verb - emit recorded sound

verb - perform on a certain location

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

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

verb - behave in a certain way

verb - cause to emit recorded audio or video

verb - manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

verb - use to one's advantage

verb - consider not very seriously

verb - be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

verb - behave carelessly or indifferently

verb - cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

verb - perform on a stage or theater

verb - be performed or presented for public viewing

verb - cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

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

verb - make bets

verb - stake on the outcome of an issue

verb - shoot or hit in a particular manner

verb - use or move

verb - employ in a game or in a specific position

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

verb - exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

To occupy oneself in amusement, sport, or other recreation: children playing with toys.

Games.

To participate in betting; gamble.

To act in jest or sport: They’re not quarreling in earnest, they’re just playing.

To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently; toy.

To behave or converse in a sportive or playful way.

To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.

To act, especially in a dramatic production.

Music.

To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.

To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.

To be performed, as in a theater or on television: A good movie is playing tonight.

To be received or accepted: a speech that played poorly with the voters.

To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly: The breeze played on the water.

To function or discharge uninterruptedly: The fountains played in the courtyard.

To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.

To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.

To assume the role of; act as: played the peacemaker at the conference.

To perform (a theatrical work) on or as if on the stage.

To present a theatrical performance in (a given place): The company played Detroit last week.

To pretend to be; mimic the activities of: played cowboy; played the star.

Sports & Games.

To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.

To compete against in a game or sport.

To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.

To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let’s play her at first base.

To use or move (a card, piece, or ball) in a game or sport: play the queen of hearts.

To make (a shot or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.

Games.

To bet; wager: played five dollars on the roan horse.

To make bets on: play the races.

To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception: play a joke on a friend.

To handle; manage: played the matter quietly.

To use or manipulate, especially for one’s own interests: He played his two opponents against each other.

Music.

To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.

To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.

To cause (a record or phonograph, for example) to emit recorded sounds.

To discharge or direct in or as if in a continuous stream: play a hose on a fire.

To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly: play lights over the dance floor.

To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.

A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.

The performance of such a work.

Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.

Fun or jesting: It was all done in play.

Sports & Games.

The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed.

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.

A move or an action in a game: It’s your play.

Participation in betting; gambling.

Manner of dealing with others; conduct: fair play.

An attempt to obtain something; a bid: a play for sympathy.

Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.

Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.

To cooperate or pretend to cooperate: decided to play along with the robbers for a while.

To participate in; engage in.

To do or take part in half-heartedly.

Sports.

To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.

To participate in a playoff.

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.

In a position to be legally or feasibly played: The ball is now in play.

Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played.

adj - to engage in amusement or sport [v -ED, -ING, -S] : PLAYABLE

PLAY - Play most commonly refers to: Play (activity), enjoyed by animals, including humans Play (theatre), structured literary form of theatre Play may refe...