Word Games Pro Dictionary

play

noun verb

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

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
4
Starts with
P
Ends with
Y
Contains
LA
Scrabble score
9
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

pleɪ

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Audio Pronunciation

Audio pronunciation is unavailable for this word.

Meaning

Definitions

noun

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

noun

  1. 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”

noun

  1. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

    “Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child”

noun

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

    “it is my turn”

noun

  1. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

    “it was all done in play”

noun

  1. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

    “he made a great maneuver”

noun

  1. a preset plan of action in team sports

    “the coach drew up the plays for her team”

noun

  1. an attempt to get something

    “they made a futile play for power”

noun

  1. utilization or exercise

    “the play of the imagination”

noun

  1. movement or space for movement

    “there was too much play in the steering wheel”

noun

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

    “he became a figure of fun”

noun

  1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

    “he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway”

noun

  1. a theatrical performance of a drama

    “the play lasted two hours”

noun

  1. a weak and tremulous light

    “the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers”

noun

  1. the removal of constraints

    “he gave free rein to his impulses”

noun

  1. a state in which action is feasible

    “the ball was still in play”

noun

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

    “rain stopped play in the 4th inning”

verb

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

    “They played games on their opponents”

verb

  1. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

    “He acted the idiot”

verb

  1. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

    “play a hooked fish”

verb

  1. consider not very seriously

    “He is trifling with her”

verb

  1. participate in games or sport

    “We played hockey all afternoon”

verb

  1. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

    “Princeton plays Yale this weekend”

verb

  1. employ in a game or in a specific position

    “They played him on first base”

verb

  1. use or move

    “I had to play my queen”

verb

  1. shoot or hit in a particular manner

    “She played a good backhand last night”

verb

  1. bet or wager (money)

    “He played $20 on the new horse”

verb

  1. 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”

verb

  1. stake on the outcome of an issue

    “I bet $100 on that new horse”

verb

  1. make bets

    “Play the races”

verb

  1. use to one's advantage

    “She plays on her clients' emotions”

verb

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

    “play water from a hose”

verb

  1. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

    “She played nervously with her wedding ring”

verb

  1. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

    “I cannot work a miracle”

verb

  1. perform on a certain location

    “The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16”

verb

  1. be performed or presented for public viewing

    “What's playing in the local movie theater?”

verb

  1. cause to emit recorded audio or video

    “They ran the tapes over and over again”

verb

  1. emit recorded sound

    “The tape was playing for hours”

verb

  1. play a role or part

    “Gielgud played Hamlet”

verb

  1. perform on a stage or theater

    “She acts in this play”

verb

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

    “Let's play like I am mommy”

verb

  1. replay (as a melody)

    “Play it again, Sam”

verb

  1. play on an instrument

    “The band played all night long”

verb

  1. perform music on (a musical instrument)

    “He plays the flute”

verb

  1. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

    “The spotlights played on the politicians”

verb

  1. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

    “The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack”

verb

  1. 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”

verb

  1. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

    “On weekends I play”

verb

  1. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

    “The kids were playing outside all day”

verb

  1. behave carelessly or indifferently

    “Play about with a young girl's affection”

In context

Example Sentences

his gambling cost him a fortune
there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
it is my turn
it is still my play
it was all done in play
their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
he made a great maneuver
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
the coach drew up the plays for her team
they made a futile play for power
he made a bid to gain attention
the play of the imagination
there was too much play in the steering wheel
he became a figure of fun
he said it in sport
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
the play lasted two hours
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
the play of light on the water
he gave free rein to his impulses
they gave full play to the artist's talent
the ball was still in play
insiders said the company's stock was in play
rain stopped play in the 4th inning
They played games on their opponents
play the stock market
play with her feelings
toy with an idea
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
play a hooked fish
He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
We played hockey all afternoon
play cards
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Charlie likes to play Mary
They played him on first base
I had to play my queen
She played a good backhand last night
He played $20 on the new horse
She plays the races
He is playing his cards close to his chest
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
I bet $100 on that new horse
She played all her money on the dark horse
Play the races
play the casinos in Trouville

Similar words

Synonyms

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