play at

phrasal verb

played at; playing at; plays at

1

: to do (something) in a way that is not serious

They were only playing at trying to fix the problem.

2

chiefly British : to play by pretending to be (someone or something)

She liked to play at doctors and nurses as a child.

—often used in the phrase play at being (something)

boys playing at being soldiers

3

British

—used to say in an annoyed way that one does not know the reason for someone's behavior

What is he playing at?

Examples of play at in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Celebrations spilled from Calle 8 into the Miami Hurricanes team store this week as fans poured in to grab game-day gear after the Canes clinched a spot in the national championship — one that will be played at home. —Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

But Miami will do so on their home turf, with the National Championship Game being played at Hard Rock Stadium – the site of their home games. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

An attendee of John Carroll and a 1977 graduate of North Harford High School, McMillan dominated at Harford Community College for two years before playing at the University of Pittsburgh for coach Jackie Sherrill. —C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026

After missing the past two games while tending to a leg injury, forward Teya Sidberry was one of nine Longhorns to play at least 16 minutes. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for play at

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat