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Definition of play - 11 dictionary results
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play

  [pley]
Use play in a Sentence
–noun
1. a dramatic composition or piece; drama.
2. a dramatic performance, as on the stage.
3. exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.
4. fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.
5. a pun.
6. the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.
7. the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.
8. an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.
9. one's turn to play: Whose play is it?
10. a playing for stakes; gambling.
11. 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.
12. an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play.
13. action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play; foul play.
14. action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy.
15. brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water.
16. elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky.
17. a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.
18. freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism.
19. freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind.
20. attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.
21. an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor's speech got two plays on our local station.
–verb (used with object)
22. to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth.
23. to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage.
24. to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor.
25. to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God.
26. to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities.
27. to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).
28. to contend against in a game.
29. to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left end.
30. to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card.
31. to use as if in playing a game, as for one's own advantage: He played his brothers against each other.
32. to stake or wager, as in a game.
33. to lay a wager or wagers on (something).
34. to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play cowboys and Indians.
35. to perform on (a musical instrument).
36. to perform (music) on an instrument.
37. to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: to play a tape; to play the radio.
38. to do or perform: You shouldn't play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage.
39. to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch.
40. to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain.
41. to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire.
42. to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.
43. to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently: Play the flood photos on page one.
44. to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
45. to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.
46. to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously.
47. to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often fol. by with).
48. to take part or engage in a game.
49. to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.
50. to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair.
51. to act on or as if on the stage; perform.
52. to perform on a musical instrument.
53. (of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening.
54. (of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night.
55. to be performed or shown: What's playing at the movie theater around the corner?
56. to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well.
57. Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator's proposal play with the public?
58. to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.
59. to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air.
60. 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.
61. to operate continuously or with repeated action.
62. Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play.
—Verb phrases
63. play along,
a. to cooperate or concur; go along.
b. to pretend to cooperate or concur.
64. play around, Informal.
a. to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around.
b. to be sexually promiscuous.
c. to be sexually unfaithful.
65. play at,
a. to pretend interest in: It's obvious that you're just playing at fishing for my sake.
b. to do something without seriousness: He is merely playing at being a student.
66. play back, to play (a recording, esp. one newly made): Play it back and let's hear how I sound.
67. play down, to treat as of little importance; belittle: He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise.
68. play off,
a. Sports. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie.
b. Sports. to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion.
c. 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.
69. play on or 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.
70. play out,
a. to bring to an end; finish.
b. to use up; exhaust: to play out one's supplies.
c. to reel or pay out, as a rope, line, etc.
71. play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize: The schools are playing up their science programs.
—Idioms
72. bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial.
73. 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.
74. in or out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play.
75. make a play for, Informal.
a. to try to attract, esp. sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend.
b. to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets.
76. play ball. ball 1 (def. 23).
77. play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself.
78. 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.
79. played out,
a. exhausted; weary.
b. out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York.
c. used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced.
80. play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, esp. to employ deception to gain one's ends: to play fast and loose with someone's affections.
81. 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.
82. play hardball. hardball (def. 4).
83. play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, esp. an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands. Also, play into (someone's) hands.
84. play it by ear, to improvise, esp. 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.
85. play one's cards. card 1 (def. 21).
86. play politics. politics (def. 8).
87. play possum. possum (def. 3).
88. play second fiddle. second fiddle (def. 1).
89. play the field. field (def. 39).
90. play the game. game 1 (def. 23).
91. 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.
92. play with a full deck. deck (def. 23).
93. play with fire. fire (def. 54).
94. play with oneself, Informal. to masturbate.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME pleye, OE plega; (v.) ME pleyen, OE pleg(i)an (c. MD pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad)

Related forms:
play⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
playless, adjective
playlike, adjective

Synonyms:
2. show. 3. diversion, pastime. 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. 18, 19. liberty. 23. enact. 25. personate, impersonate. 30. use. 32. bet. 33. back. 45. sport, frolic, romp, revel. 47. dally.

Antonyms:
3, 45. work.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To play
play   (plā)   
v.   played, play·ing, plays

v.   intr.
  1. To occupy oneself in amusement, sport, or other recreation: children playing with toys.
    1. To take part in a game: No minors are eligible to play.
    2. To participate in betting; gamble.
    3. To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.
    4. To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.
  3. To act in jest or sport: They're not arguing in earnest, they're just playing.
  4. To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently; toy. See Synonyms at flirt.
  5. To behave or converse sportively or playfully.
  6. To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.
  7. To act, especially in a dramatic production.
  8. Music
    1. To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.
    2. To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.
  9. To be performed, as in a theater or on television: A good movie is playing tonight.
  10. To be received or accepted: a speech that played poorly with the voters.
  11. To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly: The breeze played on the water.
  12. To function or discharge uninterruptedly: The fountains played in the courtyard.
  13. To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.
v.   tr.
    1. To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.
    2. To assume the role of; act as: played the peacemaker at the meeting.
    3. To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.
    4. To compete against in a game or sport.
    5. To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.
    6. To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let's play her at first base.
    7. To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubs
    8. To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.
    9. To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.
    10. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
    11. To make bets on: play the races.
    12. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
    13. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
  2. To perform (a theatrical work) on or as if on the stage.
  3. To present a theatrical performance in (a given place): The company played Detroit last week.
  4. To pretend to be; mimic the activities of: played cowboy; played the star.
    1. To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.
    2. To compete against in a game or sport.
    3. To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.
    4. To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let's play her at first base.
    5. To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubs
    6. To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.
    7. To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.
    8. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
    9. To make bets on: play the races.
    10. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
    11. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
    1. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
    2. To make bets on: play the races.
    3. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
    4. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
  7. To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception: play a joke on a friend.
  8. To handle; manage: played the matter quietly.
  9. To use or manipulate, especially for one's own interests: played his opponents against each other.
  10. Music
    1. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
    2. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
  11. To cause (a compact disk or audiocassette, for example) to emit recorded sounds.
  12. To discharge or direct in or as if in a continuous stream: play a hose on a fire.
  13. To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly: play lights over the dance floor.
  14. To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.
n.  
    1. A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.
    2. The performance of such a work.
    3. The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured expert play.
    4. 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.
    5. A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.
    6. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
    7. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
    8. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
    9. To participate in a playoff.
  2. Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.
  3. Fun or jesting: It was all done in play.
    1. The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured expert play.
    2. 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.
    3. A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.
    4. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
    5. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
    6. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
    7. To participate in a playoff.
  5. Participation in betting; gambling.
  6. Manner of dealing with others; conduct: fair play.
  7. An attempt to obtain something; a bid: a play for sympathy.
    1. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
    2. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
    3. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
    4. To participate in a playoff.
  9. Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.
  10. Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color: the play of color on iridescent feathers.
  11. To participate in; engage in.
  12. To do or take part in halfheartedly.
  13. Sports
    1. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
    2. To participate in a playoff.
  14. 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.
Phrasal Verb(s):
play along Informal To cooperate or pretend to cooperate: decided to play along with the robbers for a while.
play aroundTo philander.
play at
  1. To participate in; engage in.
  2. To do or take part in halfheartedly.
play backTo replay (a recently recorded tape, for example).
play downTo minimize the importance of; make little of: played down the defect to protect the troops' morale.
play off
  1. Sports
    1. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
    2. To participate in a playoff.
  2. 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.
play on/uponTo take advantage of (another's attitudes or feelings) for one's own interests: demagogues who play on popular fears.
play outTo use up; exhaust: Our strength was played out early in the contest.
play upTo emphasize or publicize: She played up her experience during the job interview.

Idiom(s):
in play
  1. Sports In a position to be legally or feasibly played: The ball is now in play.
  2. In a position, or rumored to be in a position of possible corporate takeover: The company's stock rose in price when it was said to be in play.

Idiom(s):
out of play Sports Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played.

Idiom(s):
play ball Slang To cooperate: The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us.

Idiom(s):
play both ends against the middleTo set opposing parties or interests against one another so as to advance one's own goals.

Idiom(s):
play fast and looseTo behave in a recklessly irresponsible or deceitful manner: played fast and loose with the facts.

Idiom(s):
play for timeTo use delaying tactics; temporize.

Idiom(s):
play games Slang To be evasive or deceptive: Quit playing games and tell me what you want.

Idiom(s):
play hard to getTo pretend to be inaccessible or uninterested, as when flirting.

Idiom(s):
play in Peoria Slang To be acceptable to average constituents or consumers.

Idiom(s):
play into the hands ofTo act or behave so as to give an advantage to (an opponent).

Idiom(s):
play (one's) cards Informal To use the resources or strategies at one's disposal: played her cards right and got promoted.

Idiom(s):
play possumTo pretend to be sleeping or dead.

Idiom(s):
play the fieldTo date more than one person.

Idiom(s):
play the game Informal To behave according to the accepted customs or standards.

Idiom(s):
play up toTo curry favor with.

Idiom(s):
play with a full deck Slang To be of sound mind: didn't seem to be playing with a full deck.

Idiom(s):
play with fireTo take part in a dangerous or risky undertaking.

Idiom(s):
play with (oneself) Vulgar Slang To masturbate.

[Middle English playen, from Old English plegian; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots.]
play'a·bil'i·ty n., play'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Play

Play\, v. t.

To play hob, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief. Plebs \Plebs\ (pl[e^]bz), n. [L. Cf. Plebe.]

1. The commonalty of ancient Rome who were citizens without the usual political rights; the plebeians; -- distinguished from the patricians.

2. Hence, the common people; the populace; -- construed as a pl.

Play

Play\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Played; p. pr. & vb. n. Playing.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G. pflegen; of unknown origin. [root]28. Cf. Plight, n.]

1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

As Cannace was playing in her walk. --Chaucer.

The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play! --Pope.

And some, the darlings of their Lord, Play smiling with the flame and sword. --Keble.

2. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

"Nay," quod this monk, "I have no lust to pleye." --Chaucer.

Men are apt to play with their healths. --Sir W. Temple.

3. To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

4. To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

One that . . . can play well on an instrument. --Ezek. xxxiii. 32.

Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. --Granville.

5. To act; to behave; to practice deception.

His mother played false with a smith. --Shak.

6. To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs play. --Cheyne.

7. To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

Even as the waving sedges play with wind. --Shak.

The setting sun Plays on their shining arms and burnished helmets. --Addison.

All fame is foreign but of true desert, Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. --Pope.

8. To act on the stage; to personate a character.

A lord will hear your play to-night. --Shak.

Courts are theaters where some men play. --Donne.

To play into a person's hands, to act, or to manage matters, to his advantage or benefit.

To play off, to affect; to feign; to practice artifice.

To play upon. (a) To make sport of; to deceive.

Art thou alive? Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight. --Shak. (b) To use in a droll manner; to give a droll expression or application to; as, to play upon words.

Play

Play\, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.

First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. --Herbert.

2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies. --Milton.

5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.

Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. --Sir W. Scott.

6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

To play off, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks.

To play one's cards, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive.

Played out, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [Colloq.]

Play

Play\, n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

John naturally loved rough play. --Arbuthnot.

3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. "The next who comes in play." --Dryden.

5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

A play ought to be a just image of human nature. --Dryden.

6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

7. Performance on an instrument of music.

8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action. "To give them play, front and rear." --Milton.

The joints are let exactly into one another, that they have no play between them. --Moxon.

9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

Play actor, an actor of dramas. --Prynne.

Play debt, a gambling debt. --Arbuthnot.

Play pleasure, idle amusement. [Obs.] --Bacon.

A play upon words, the use of a word in such a way as to be capable of double meaning; punning.

Play of colors, prismatic variation of colors.

To bring into play, To come into play, to bring or come into use or exercise.

To hold in play, to keep occupied or employed.

I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play. --Macaulay.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : play
Spanish: jugar,
German: spielen,
Japanese: 遊ぶ
More Translations »

play  (v.)
O.E. plegian "to exercise, frolic, perform music," from W.Gmc. *plegan (cf. M.Du. pleyen "to rejoice, be glad"), of uncertain origin. Opposed to work (v.) since 1377. Playground is attested from 1780. Playmate is from 1642 in the innocent sense, from 1954 in the sexual sense; playboy "wealthy bon vivant" is from 1829; fem. equivalent playgirl is first recorded 1934. Plaything is from 1675. To play up "emphasize" is from 1909; to play down "minimize" is from 1930. To play with oneself "masturbate" is from 1896; play for keeps is from 1861, originally of marbles or other children's games with tokens. To play the (something) card is attested from 1886; to play fair is from c.1440. Play-dough is first recorded 1959. To play (something) safe is from 1911; to play favorites is attested from 1902. For play the field see field.

play  (n.)
O.E. plega (W.Saxon), plæga (Anglian) "recreation, exercise, any brisk activity" (the latter sense preserved in swordplay, etc.), from play (v.). Meaning "dramatic performance" is attested from c.1325. Meaning "free or unimpeded movement" is from 1653. Sporting sense first attested 1868. Playwright first recorded 1687; play-bill is from 1673. Player is from 1382 in general sense; pimps' word for themselves from 1974. Play-by-play is attested from 1927.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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play

  1. An investment.
  2. See direct play.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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PLAY language, music
A language for real-time music synthesis. 1977.
["An Introduction to the Play Program", J. Chadabe ete al, Computer Music J 2,1 (1978)].
(1999-06-04)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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play

In addition to the idioms beginning with play, 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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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