play at

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

Burke measured 6-foot-8 and three-quarters at the combine, had an excellent season at Memphis in 2025, and has played at both right and left tackle in a five-year collegiate career. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Things improved when the family was back together—and the daughter still went on to play at a D-III college program. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2026

But, the Florida Lotto Double Play numbers — 5, 8, 9, 17, 26, 27 — were chosen by someone who played at the Mobil station at 2601 SW 137th Ave. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026

Becky Shaw is currently playing at the Hayes Theater through Sunday, June 14. —Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for play at

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