Definitions for play

Definitions for (noun) play

Main entry: play, swordplay

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


Main entry: gambling, gaming, play

Definition: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Usage: his gambling cost him a fortune; there was heavy play at the blackjack table


Main entry: child's play, play

Definition: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Usage: Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child


Main entry: play, turn

Definition: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Usage: it is my turn; it is still my play


Main entry: caper, frolic, gambol, romp, play

Definition: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Usage: it was all done in play; their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly


Main entry: maneuver, manoeuvre, play

Definition: a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Usage: he made a great maneuver; the runner was out on a play by the shortstop


Main entry: play

Definition: a preset plan of action in team sports

Usage: the coach drew up the plays for her team


Main entry: bid, play

Definition: an attempt to get something

Usage: they made a futile play for power; he made a bid to gain attention


Main entry: play

Definition: utilization or exercise

Usage: the play of the imagination


Main entry: looseness, play

Definition: movement or space for movement

Usage: there was too much play in the steering wheel


Main entry: sport, play, fun

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

Usage: he became a figure of fun; he said it in sport


Main entry: drama, dramatic play, play

Definition: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Usage: he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway


Main entry: play

Definition: a theatrical performance of a drama

Usage: the play lasted two hours


Main entry: shimmer, play

Definition: a weak and tremulous light

Usage: the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers; the play of light on the water


Main entry: free rein, play

Definition: the removal of constraints

Usage: he gave free rein to his impulses; they gave full play to the artist's talent


Main entry: play

Definition: a state in which action is feasible

Usage: the ball was still in play; insiders said the company's stock was in play


Main entry: period of play, play, playing period

Definition: (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Usage: rain stopped play in the 4th inning


Definitions for (verb) play

Main entry: play, toy

Definition: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Usage: They played games on their opponents; play the stock market; play with her feelings; toy with an idea


Main entry: play, act, act as

Definition: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Usage: He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad


Main entry: play

Definition: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Usage: play a hooked fish


Main entry: trifle, dally, play

Definition: consider not very seriously

Usage: He is trifling with her; She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania


Main entry: play

Definition: participate in games or sport

Usage: We played hockey all afternoon; play cards; Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches


Main entry: take on, encounter, meet, play

Definition: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Usage: Princeton plays Yale this weekend; Charlie likes to play Mary


Main entry: play

Definition: employ in a game or in a specific position

Usage: They played him on first base


Main entry: play

Definition: use or move

Usage: I had to play my queen


Main entry: play

Definition: shoot or hit in a particular manner

Usage: She played a good backhand last night


Main entry: play

Definition: bet or wager (money)

Usage: He played $20 on the new horse; She plays the races


Main entry: play

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

Usage: He is playing his cards close to his chest; The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory


Main entry: play, bet, wager

Definition: stake on the outcome of an issue

Usage: I bet $100 on that new horse; She played all her money on the dark horse


Main entry: play

Definition: make bets

Usage: Play the races; play the casinos in Trouville


Main entry: play

Definition: use to one's advantage

Usage: She plays on her clients' emotions


Main entry: play

Definition: discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Usage: play water from a hose; The fountains played all day


Main entry: fiddle, diddle, play, toy

Definition: manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Usage: She played nervously with her wedding ring; Don't fiddle with the screws; He played with the idea of running for the Senate


Main entry: work, wreak, make for, play, bring

Definition: cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Usage: I cannot work a miracle; wreak havoc; bring comments; play a joke; The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area


Main entry: play

Definition: perform on a certain location

Usage: The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16; She has been playing on Broadway for years


Main entry: play

Definition: be performed or presented for public viewing

Usage: What's playing in the local movie theater?; `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years


Main entry: play, run

Definition: cause to emit recorded audio or video

Usage: They ran the tapes over and over again; I'll play you my favorite record; He never tires of playing that video


Main entry: play

Definition: emit recorded sound

Usage: The tape was playing for hours; the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered


Main entry: represent, play, act

Definition: play a role or part

Usage: Gielgud played Hamlet; She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role; She played the servant to her husband's master


Main entry: act, play, playact, roleplay

Definition: perform on a stage or theater

Usage: She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar'; I played in `A Christmas Carol'


Main entry: play

Definition: pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Usage: Let's play like I am mommy; Play cowboy and Indians


Main entry: play, spiel

Definition: replay (as a melody)

Usage: Play it again, Sam; She played the third movement very beautifully


Main entry: play

Definition: play on an instrument

Usage: The band played all night long


Main entry: play

Definition: perform music on (a musical instrument)

Usage: He plays the flute; Can you play on this old recorder?


Main entry: play

Definition: move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Usage: The spotlights played on the politicians


Main entry: play

Definition: cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Usage: The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack


Main entry: play

Definition: act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Usage: This factor played only a minor part in his decision; This development played into her hands; I played no role in your dismissal


Main entry: play, recreate

Definition: engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Usage: On weekends I play; The students all recreate alike


Main entry: play

Definition: be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Usage: The kids were playing outside all day; I used to play with trucks as a little girl


Main entry: dally, toy, flirt, play

Definition: behave carelessly or indifferently

Usage: Play about with a young girl's affection


Main entry: play

Definition: behave in a certain way

Usage: play safe; play it safe; play fair


Main entry: play

Definition: be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Usage: This speech didn't play well with the American public; His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee


Visual thesaurus for play