Entry Word: play

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 activity engaged in to amuse oneself <itʼs such a delight to watch the children in their play>

Synonyms dalliance, frolic, frolicking, fun, recreation, relaxation, rollicking, sport

Related Words gamboling, romping; amusement, diversion, entertainment; delight, enjoyment, pleasure; friskiness, playfulness, sportiveness, wantonness; devilment, devilry (or deviltry), hob, impishness, mischief, mischievousness, rascality, roguishness, waggery; binge, fling, lark, revel, spree; hilarity, merrymaking, revelry; buffoonery, horseplay, tomfoolery

Near Antonyms drudgery, labor, work; duty, obligation, responsibility

2 a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage <weʼll be putting on a school play using that stage>

Synonyms drama, dramatization

Related Words comedy, melodrama, musical, musical comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy; magnum opus, opus, work; adaptation

3 an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously <I didnʼt mean to insult anyone, for it was all just play> — see fun 2
4 the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose <the hostʼs sense of humor was obviously in play during the awards ceremony> — see use 1