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

Anne’s trip to the countryside opens up the series both physically and thematically by acknowledging that Irish life and history exist outside Dublin and that while the Guinness family amasses power and plays at politics, others are living a much different existence. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Granted, the 49ers would get a boost in morale and their play with Purdy back in the fold, but the team has one of the better backup quarterbacks ready to play at a moment's notice. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

The Idaho Statesman will be joined by Boise State defensive back Jaden Mickey, who played at Notre Dame for two-and-a-half seasons before entering the transfer portal and making the switch from gold and blue to orange and blue. —Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2025

Speaking of scheduling, here's a quick look at what Louisville paid nonconference opponents to play at L&N Stadium this season. —Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for play at

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