play

¹play

noun \ˈplā\

Definition of PLAY

1

a : swordplay

b archaic : game, sport

c : the conduct, course, or action of a game

d : a particular act or maneuver in a game: as (1) : the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football (2) : the action in which a player is put out in baseball

e : the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game

f : the moving of a piece in a board game (as chess)

g : one's turn in a game <it's your play>

2

a obsolete : sexual intercourse

b : amorous flirtation : dalliance

3

a : recreational activity; especially : the spontaneous activity of children

b : absence of serious or harmful intent : jest <said it in play>

c : the act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds

d : gaming, gambling

4

a (1) : an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver <that was a play to get your fingerprints — Erle Stanley Gardner> (2) : deal, venture

b (1) : the state of being active, operative, or relevant <other motives surely come into play — M. R. Cohen> <several issues are at play> (2) : brisk, fitful, or light movement <the gem presented a dazzling play of colors> (3) : free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine); also : the length or measure of such motion (4) : scope or opportunity for action (5) : a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play

5

: emphasis or publicity especially in the news media <wished the country received a better play in the American press — Hugh MacLennan>

6

: a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings —usually used with make <made a big play for the girl — Will Herman>

7

a : the stage representation of an action or story

b : a dramatic composition : drama

— in play

: in condition or position to be legitimately played

— out of play

: not in play

Examples of PLAY

1. The play is based on a real-life event.
2. He wrote, directed, and starred in the play.
3. His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving.
4. I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays.
5. The book discusses the role of play in a child's development.
6. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
7. Please, no talking during play.
8. Rain held up play for an hour.
9. The chess match finally ended after three hours of play.
10. The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday.

Origin of PLAY

Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PLAY

Synonyms

dalliance, frolic, frolicking, fun, fun and games, recreation, relaxation, rollicking, sport

Antonyms

earnest

Related Words

gamboling (or gambolling), romping; amusement, diversion, entertainment; hobby, hobbyhorse, pastime; delight, enjoyment, pleasance, pleasure; friskiness, playfulness, sportiveness, wantonness; devilment, devilry (or deviltry), hanky-panky, hob, impishness, jinks, knavery, mischief, mischievousness, rascality, roguishness, waggery; binge, fling, kick, lark, revel, rollick, spree; hilarity, merriment, merrymaking, revelry, whoopee; buffoonery, high jinks (also hijinks), horseplay, tomfoolery

Near Antonyms

drudgery, labor, work; duty, obligation, responsibility

See Synonym Discussion at fun

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

Rhymes with PLAY

a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea

²play

verb

Definition of PLAY

intransitive verb

1

a : to engage in sport or recreation : frolic

b : to have sexual relations; especially : to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations —usually used in the phrase play around

c (1) : to move aimlessly about : trifle (2) : to toy or fiddle around with something <played with her food> (3) : to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest (4) : to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner (5) : to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect

2

a : to take advantage <playing on fears>

b (1) : flutter, frisk (2) : to move or operate in a lively, irregular, or intermittent manner

c : to move or function freely within prescribed limits

d : to produce a stream <hoses playing on a fire>

3

a (1) : to perform music <play on a violin> (2) : to sound in performance <the organ is playing> (3) : to emit sounds <the radio is playing> (4) : to reproduce recorded sounds <a record is playing>

b (1) : to act in a dramatic production (2) : show, run <what's playing at the theater>

c : to be suitable for dramatic performance

d : to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy <might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends — V. L. Parrington> —often used in the phrase play up to

e : to produce a specified impression in performance <a movie that plays like a sitcom>

4

a : to engage or take part in a game

b : to perform in a position in a specified manner <the outfielders were playing deep>

c : to perform an action during one's turn in a game

d : gamble

e (1) : to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way <play safe> (2) : to feign a specified state or quality <play dead> (3) : to take part in or assent to some activity : cooperate <play along with his scheme> (4) : to act so as to prove advantageous to another —usually used in the phrase play into the hands of

5

: to gain approval : go over <her idea did not play well>

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to engage in or occupy oneself with <play baseball> (2) : to engage in (an activity) as a game (3) : to deal with, handle, or manage (4) : exploit, manipulate

b : to pretend to engage in the activities of <play war> <children playing house>

c (1) : to amount to by one's efforts <played an important role in their success> (2) : to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock <play a trick> (3) : wreak <play havoc> (4) : to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy <play the national security card>

2

a (1) : to put on a performance of (a play) (2) : to act in the character or part of (3) : to act or perform in <played leading theaters>

b : to perform or act the part of <play the fool>

3

a (1) : to contend against in or as if in a game (2) : to use as a contestant in a game <the coach did not play him> (3) : to perform the duties associated with (a certain position) <played quarterback> (4) : to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner

b (1) : to wager in a game : stake (2) : to make wagers on <play the races> (3) : to speculate on or in <play the stock market> (4) : to operate on the basis of <play a hunch>

c : to put into action in a game; especially : to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick

d : to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field <played the ball bare-handed>

e : to direct the course of (as a ball) : hit <played a wedge shot to the green>; also : to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound <played the ball off the backboard>

4

a : to perform (music) on an instrument <play a waltz>

b : to perform music on <play the violin>

c : to perform music of (a certain composer)

d (1) : to cause (as a radio or phonograph) to emit sounds (2) : to cause the recorded sound or image of (as a record or a magnetic tape) to be reproduced

5

a : wield, ply

b : to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect <played the hose on the burning building>

c : to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently

d : to keep (a hooked fish) in action

— play·abil·i·ty \ˌplā-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— play·able \ˈplā-ə-bəl\ adjective

— play ball

: cooperate

— play both ends against the middle

: to set opposing interests against each other to one's own ultimate profit

— play by ear

: to deal with something without previous planning or instructions

— play games

: to try to hide the truth from someone by deceptive means

— play one's cards

: to act with the means available to one

— play possum

: to pretend to be asleep or dead

— play second fiddle

: to take a subordinate position

— play the field

: to date or have romantic connections with more than one person

— play the game

: to act according to a code or set of standards

— play with a full deck

: to be rational or sane

— play with fire

: to do something risky or dangerous

— play with oneself

: masturbate

Examples of PLAY

1. The children were playing in the yard.
2. Can Sara come out and play?
3. He played by himself in his room.
4. Did you play any sports in high school?
5. No one dares to play chess with him.
6. The children were playing hide-and-seek.
7. I have a chess set. Do you want to play?
8. It's your turn to play.
9. She hurt her wrist but decided to continue playing.
10. He played in every major tournament this year.

First Known Use of PLAY

before 12th century

Related to PLAY

Synonyms

dally, disport, frolic, recreate, rollick, skylark, sport, toy

Related Words

cavort, frisk, gambol, romp; dabble, trifle; amuse, divert, entertain; delight, please; dabble, fiddle (around), mess around, putter (around); bum (around), dawdle, goldbrick, hang, hang about [British], idle, loaf, lounge (around or about), relax, rest, screw around, slack (off); jest, joke, tease

Near Antonyms

drudge, labor, plod, plug (away), slave, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, work

play

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In zoology, actions that have all the elements of purposeful behaviour but are performed for no apparent reason. Play has been documented only among mammals and birds. It is most common among immature animals, but adult animals also play. Horses, cattle, and other ungulates run and kick up their heels even when not fleeing from predators or defending themselves. Dogs adopt an aggressive posture to entice others to join in mock combat. Otters are well known for their mud sliding. Male birds may spontaneously perform their territorial songs when there is no intruding rival.