played; playing; plays
1
a
: to engage in sport or recreation : frolic
b(1)
: to toy or fiddle around with something
played with her food
(2)
: to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest
(3)
: to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner
(4)
: to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
(5)
: to move aimlessly about : trifle
c
: to have sexual relations
especially
: to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations
—usually used in the phrase play around
2
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
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
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
5
: to gain approval : go over
her idea did not play well
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)
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 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 (something, such 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
3
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
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 (a device, such as a radio) to emit sounds
(2)
: to cause the recorded sound or image of (something, such as a record, optical disk, or a digital file) to be reproduced
1
a
: the stage representation of an action or story
b
: a dramatic composition : drama
2
3
a
: the conduct, course, or action of a game
b
: one's turn in a game
it's your play
c
: a particular act or maneuver in a game: such 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
d
: the moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)
e
: the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game
f
4
a(1)
: the state of being active, operative, or relevant
other motives surely come into play—M. R. Cohen
several issues are at play
(2)
: a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play
(3)
: scope or opportunity for action
(4)
: brisk, fitful, or light movement
the gem presented a dazzling play of colors
(5)
: free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine)
also
: the length or measure of such motion
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
obsolete
: sexual intercourse
b
: amorous flirtation : dalliance
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share