Play Meaning
There are 51 meaning(s) for word Play
Meaning 1 : contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Example : Princeton plays Yale this weekend,Charlie likes to play Mary
Synonyms : encounter, meet, take on
Example : Princeton plays Yale this weekend,Charlie likes to play Mary
Synonyms : encounter, meet, take on
Meaning 2 : pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Example : She plays deaf when the news are bad
Synonyms : act, act as
Example : She plays deaf when the news are bad
Synonyms : act, act as
Meaning 3 : manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
Example : She played nervously with her wedding ring,He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Synonyms : diddle, fiddle, toy
Example : She played nervously with her wedding ring,He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Synonyms : diddle, fiddle, toy
Meaning 4 : a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Example : he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Synonyms : drama, dramatic play
Example : he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Synonyms : drama, dramatic play
Meaning 7 : gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Example : it was all done in play
Synonyms : caper, frolic, gambol, romp
Example : it was all done in play
Synonyms : caper, frolic, gambol, romp
Meaning 8 : activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Example : Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Synonyms : child's play
Example : Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Synonyms : child's play
Meaning 9 : consider not very seriously
Example : She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Synonyms : dally, trifle
Example : She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Synonyms : dally, trifle
Meaning 10 : cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
Example : play a joke
Synonyms : bring, make for, work, wreak
Example : play a joke
Synonyms : bring, make for, work, wreak
Meaning 11 : replay (as a melody)
Example : She played the third movement very beautifully
Synonyms : spiel
Example : She played the third movement very beautifully
Synonyms : spiel
Meaning 12 : (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Example : it is still my play
Synonyms : turn
Example : it is still my play
Synonyms : turn
Meaning 13 : perform on a stage or theater
Example : She acts in this play,I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Synonyms : act, playact, roleplay
Example : She acts in this play,I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Synonyms : act, playact, roleplay
Meaning 14 : stake on the outcome of an issue
Example : She played all her money on the dark horse
Synonyms : bet, wager
Example : She played all her money on the dark horse
Synonyms : bet, wager
Meaning 16 : a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
Example : the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Synonyms : maneuver, manoeuvre
Example : the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Synonyms : maneuver, manoeuvre
Meaning 17 : engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Example : On weekends I play
Synonyms : recreate
Example : On weekends I play
Synonyms : recreate
Meaning 18 : cause to emit recorded audio or video
Example : I'll play you my favorite record,He never tires of playing that video
Synonyms : run
Example : I'll play you my favorite record,He never tires of playing that video
Synonyms : run
Meaning 19 : movement or space for movement
Example : there was too much play in the steering wheel
Synonyms : looseness
Example : there was too much play in the steering wheel
Synonyms : looseness
Meaning 21 : the removal of constraints
Example : they gave full play to the artist's talent
Synonyms : free rein
Example : they gave full play to the artist's talent
Synonyms : free rein
Meaning 22 : engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Example : They played games on their opponents,play the stock market,play with her feelings
Synonyms : toy
Example : They played games on their opponents,play the stock market,play with her feelings
Synonyms : toy
Meaning 23 : the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
Example : there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Synonyms : gambling, gaming
Example : there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Synonyms : gambling, gaming
Meaning 24 : verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
Synonyms : fun, sport
Synonyms : fun, sport
Meaning 25 : (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Example : rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Synonyms : period of play, playing period
Example : rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Synonyms : period of play, playing period
Meaning 26 : play a role or part
Example : Gielgud played Hamlet,She played the servant to her husband's master
Synonyms : act, represent
Example : Gielgud played Hamlet,She played the servant to her husband's master
Synonyms : act, represent
Meaning 27 : act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Example : This factor played only a minor part in his decision,This development played into her hands,I played no role in your dismissal
Example : This factor played only a minor part in his decision,This development played into her hands,I played no role in your dismissal
Meaning 28 : a preset plan of action in team sports
Example : the coach drew up the plays for her team
Example : the coach drew up the plays for her team
Meaning 29 : a state in which action is feasible
Example : the ball was still in play,insiders said the company's stock was in play
Example : the ball was still in play,insiders said the company's stock was in play
Meaning 30 : a theatrical performance of a drama
Example : the play lasted two hours
Example : the play lasted two hours
Meaning 31 : be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Example : The kids were playing outside all day,I used to play with trucks as a little girl
Example : The kids were playing outside all day,I used to play with trucks as a little girl
Meaning 32 : behave in a certain way
Example : play safe,play it safe,play fair
Example : play safe,play it safe,play fair
Meaning 33 : be performed or presented for public viewing
Example : What's playing in the local movie theater?,`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Example : What's playing in the local movie theater?,`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Meaning 34 : bet or wager (money)
Example : He played $20 on the new horse,She plays the races
Example : He played $20 on the new horse,She plays the races
Meaning 35 : cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
Example : The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Example : The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Meaning 36 : discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Example : play water from a hose,The fountains played all day
Example : play water from a hose,The fountains played all day
Meaning 37 : emit recorded sound
Example : The tape was playing for hours,the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
Example : The tape was playing for hours,the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
Meaning 38 : employ in a game or in a specific position
Example : They played him on first base
Example : They played him on first base
Meaning 39 : exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Example : play a hooked fish
Example : play a hooked fish
Meaning 40 : make bets
Example : play the casinos in Trouville
Example : play the casinos in Trouville
Meaning 41 : move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
Example : The spotlights played on the politicians
Example : The spotlights played on the politicians
Meaning 42 : participate in games or sport
Example : We played hockey all afternoon,play cards,Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Example : We played hockey all afternoon,play cards,Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Meaning 43 : perform music on (a musical instrument)
Example : He plays the flute,Can you play on this old recorder?
Example : He plays the flute,Can you play on this old recorder?
Meaning 44 : perform on a certain location
Example : The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16,She has been playing on Broadway for years
Example : The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16,She has been playing on Broadway for years
Meaning 45 : play on an instrument
Example : The band played all night long
Example : The band played all night long
Meaning 46 : pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Example : Let's play like I am mommy
Example : Let's play like I am mommy
Meaning 47 : put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Example : He is playing his cards close to his chest,The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Example : He is playing his cards close to his chest,The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Meaning 48 : shoot or hit in a particular manner
Example : She played a good backhand last night
Example : She played a good backhand last night
Meaning 49 : use or move
Example : I had to play my queen
Example : I had to play my queen
Meaning 50 : use to one's advantage
Example : She plays on her clients' emotions
Example : She plays on her clients' emotions
Meaning 51 : utilization or exercise
Example : the play of the imagination
Example : the play of the imagination
How to Pronounce Play
- pleɪ