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 all synonyms and antonyms

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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