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

Like fathers, like sons for Norway CNN World Sport’s Don Riddell speaks with Norway’s 1994 World Cup veteran Erik Thorstvedt, whose son Kristian is playing at this year’s showpiece event. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Yamal and Haaland may lead the way in the transfer market, but there are just two billionaires playing at this World Cup—Ronaldo and Messi. —Madhulika Pathak, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Apana plays at Kamehameha Kapalama in Honolulu. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2026

The 19-year-old midfielder played at Borah High between stints with the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake academies. —Idaho Statesman, 21 June 2026

Rhymes for play at

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