English dictionary
play
nounPronunciation
pleɪ
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
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
- activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
noun
- (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
noun
- gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
noun
- a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
noun
- a preset plan of action in team sports
noun
- an attempt to get something
noun
- utilization or exercise
noun
- movement or space for movement
noun
- verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
noun
- a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
noun
- a theatrical performance of a drama
noun
- a weak and tremulous light
noun
- the removal of constraints
noun
- a state in which action is feasible
noun
- (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
verb
- engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
verb
- pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
verb
- exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
verb
- consider not very seriously
verb
- participate in games or sport
verb
- contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
verb
- employ in a game or in a specific position
verb
- use or move
verb
- shoot or hit in a particular manner
verb
- bet or wager (money)
verb
- put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
verb
- stake on the outcome of an issue
verb
- make bets
verb
- use to one's advantage
verb
- discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
verb
- manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
verb
- cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
verb
- perform on a certain location
verb
- be performed or presented for public viewing
verb
- cause to emit recorded audio or video
verb
- emit recorded sound
verb
- play a role or part
verb
- perform on a stage or theater
verb
- pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
verb
- replay (as a melody)
verb
- play on an instrument
verb
- perform music on (a musical instrument)
verb
- move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
verb
- cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
verb
- act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
verb
- engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
verb
- be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
verb
- behave carelessly or indifferently
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