play to
verb
played to; playing to; plays to
1
: to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention
He didn't mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd.
He loves publicity and plays to the cameras every chance he gets.
2
: to make use of (something)
a film that plays to stereotypes of housewives
In his latest album, he once again plays to his strengths as a classical musician.
Examples of play to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two teams played to a 40-40 tie in Dallas in Week 4 last season, a month after Parsons was traded from Dallas to Green Bay.
—
Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
During Movie Night—when footage from the season is played to reveal any secrets Islanders have managed to keep from each other in the tiny property where they're filmed 24-hours a day—Rob got a moment of catharsis with his ex.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Considering the Heat will continue to play to win, and therefore continue to play veterans for consistent minutes, the youth pipeline potentially could prove clogged by yet another mid-tier first-round pick.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
At this price, Taylor is the value play to be the low Canadian.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
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Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
During Movie Night—when footage from the season is played to reveal any secrets Islanders have managed to keep from each other in the tiny property where they're filmed 24-hours a day—Rob got a moment of catharsis with his ex.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Considering the Heat will continue to play to win, and therefore continue to play veterans for consistent minutes, the youth pipeline potentially could prove clogged by yet another mid-tier first-round pick.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
At this price, Taylor is the value play to be the low Canadian.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
Cite this Entry
“Play to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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