play

- definition

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Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

verb

/pleɪ/

present tense
I/you/we/they	play
he/she/it	plays
present participle	playing
past tense	played
past participle	played

1
[intransitive/transitive] to take part in a sport or game
The girls are out playing tennis.
He played well, though his team lost.
play for:
He played for the Yankees before he was traded to Milwaukee.
Do you want to play cards?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
1. a.
  [intransitive/transitive] to compete against someone in a sport or game
  She plays the winner of tomorrow’s match.
  Chicago plays Los Angeles tonight at the stadium.
  play against:
  The Bears are playing against the Niners tonight.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
2. b.
  [transitive] to use a particular person in your team
  They decided not to play Beckham because he was injured.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
3. c.
  [intransitive/transitive] to have a particular position in a sports team
  She plays in defense.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
4. d.
  [transitive] to hit or kick a ball
  The ball was going out so he was right not to play it.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
2
[intransitive/transitive] to perform music, or to use an instrument to make music
He played several organ pieces by Bach.
Gloria plays the violin in the London Philharmonic.
The orchestra played beautifully tonight.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
1. a.
  to make something such as a radio, CD, etc. start to produce sounds, or to be made to do this
  They played the CD at full volume.
  A tape was played in court in which he confessed to the crime.
  I could hear a radio playing in the apartment above.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
3
[transitive] to have a particular part in a play or movie
She played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire.
The role of the mother was played by one of Australia’s finest actresses.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
1. a.
  [intransitive] if a play or movie is playing somewhere, it is being performed or shown there
  What’s playing at the local movie theater?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
2. b.
  [intransitive] to act in a particular play
  I was asked to play in a new version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
4
[intransitive/transitive] if children play or play something, they do things that they enjoy, for example using toys and taking part in games
The children were playing in the backyard.
Molly and Lilly were playing happily together.
play by yourself (=when you are alone):
Tom’s very good at playing by himself.
play with:
She watched some kids playing with a ball in the street.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
1. a.
  [transitive] to pretend to be someone else while playing
  My little girl likes to play mommy with her doll.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
5
[intransitive] mainly literary if something such as light plays somewhere, it moves quickly over a surface, appearing in different places for a very short time
Moonlight played on the surface of the lake.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play

phrases

(if you) play your cards right
informal
used for saying that if someone behaves in the right way, they might be successful
If you play your cards right, he might ask you back to his house.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play ball (with someone)
informal to do something, often something dishonest, that someone wants you to do
Because he refused to play ball with these criminals, he was shot and seriously wounded.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play (something) by ear
to perform a piece of music by remembering what it sounds like, without looking at the notes
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play fast and loose with
old-fashioned
to treat someone or something in a careless way
He had played fast and loose with her feelings.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play the field
informal
to have several sexual relationships before you choose a permanent partner
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play for time
to deliberately delay doing something, or to do it more slowly than usual, so that you have more time to decide what to do
“I just have to make a phone call first,” she said, playing for time.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play games
to behave in a silly way by not saying what you really think or by not being serious enough
Stop playing games and tell him what you really feel.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play God
showing disapproval
if someone plays God, they use their power or authority to make important decisions that you think a person should not make, especially decisions about whether people live or die
He accused doctors of wanting to play God.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play hard to get
informal
to pretend not to be interested in someone who you think is sexually attractive in order to make them more interested in you
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play the innocent
to pretend that you do not understand or know anything about something
Don’t play the innocent with me. You know what I’m talking about.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play it by ear
to decide what to do as a situation develops rather than planning what you will do before you start
We don’t know how many people are going to come, so we’ll play it by ear.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play it cool
informal
to behave calmly and not show that you are worried about something
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play it safe
to avoid taking any risks
It’s probably OK to eat them raw, but it’s best to play it safe by cooking them.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play a joke/trick on someone
to do something to someone that you think is funny because it makes them look silly or feel embarrassed
His friends played a cruel trick on him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play a part/role in something
to be involved in something, especially in a way that is important
Her father had never played a big part in her life.
She played a key role in campaigning for equal opportunities in the workplace.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play (right/straight) into someone’s hands
to do something that helps someone who you are competing against
You’ll be playing right into their hands if you involve the police.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
play the (stock) market
to invest in stocks or bonds because you want to make money
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play
playing with fire
doing something dangerous or risky that could cause lots of problems for you
He knew he was playing with fire by encouraging her attentions.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of play

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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a word or phrase that expresses someone’s attitude or intention

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conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

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phrases

(if you) play your cards right

play ball (with someone)

play (something) by ear

play fast and loose with

play the field

play for time

play games

play God

play hard to get

play the innocent

play it by ear

play it cool

play it safe

play a joke/trick on someone

play a part/role in something

play (right/straight) into someone’s hands

play the (stock) market

playing with fire

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

Word of the Day

watchword

conflict mineral