Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
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Asked by: Reinhold Skiles
Score: 4.5/5
(20 votes)
- [S] [T] Tom played his part very well. ( …
- [S] [T] Tom was good at playing chess. ( …
- [S] [T] Tom watched the children play. ( …
- [S] [T] We play soccer every Saturday. ( …
- [S] [T] We play soccer every Saturday. ( …
- [S] [T] We watched them play baseball. ( …
- [S] [T] We went to the play yesterday. (
When to use play or plays in a sentence?
Plays is used for singular subjects (ex. She plays in the park, he plays at the beach). Play is used for plural subjects, I, and you (ex. I play, they play, we play, you guys play).
What is a sentence for played?
He has played for Manchester United. But he has played only four games. «He has played two good games. He has played 110 games for Atlético.
How do you use the word play as a noun?
- They are performing a play by Pinter.
- The theatre was refused permission to stage the play.
- Kate’s class decided to put on a play for the school.
- a play about teenage runaways.
- The play is reviewed in most of today’s papers.
- Her script was adapted and turned into a stage play.
What type of verb is play?
[transitive, intransitive] play (something) (in card games) to put a card face upward on the table, showing its value to play your ace/a trump He played out of turn! [transitive, intransitive] to perform on a musical instrument; to perform music play (something) to play the piano/violin/flute, etc.
15 related questions found
What kind of word is play?
As detailed above, ‘play’ can be a noun or a verb. Noun usage: No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it. Noun usage: Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous. Verb usage: They played long and hard.
How can I use make in a sentence?
Make sentence example
- Drowning your sorrows in eggnog will only make you feel worse in the long run. …
- That does make sense. …
- You make a difference. …
- Did you make any real progress? …
- They didn’t make it to the restaurant. …
- It shouldn’t make any difference if he’s adopted.
How do you use read in a sentence?
Read sentence example
- Read books that are true. 793. 340.
- He lifted the paper and started to read again. 471. …
- I read about it. 416. …
- Does your Mom know you read her letter? 297. …
- Don’t you ever read the Bible? 267. …
- Do not read bad books, they will make you bad. 119. …
- I read in my books every day. …
- I read the whole account online.
How do you use doing in a sentence?
Doing sentence example
- «What are you doing ,» he finally asked. …
- They should be doing an ultrasound in a couple of weeks. …
- God, he’s probably never heard anyone doing that! …
- What are you doing up at this hour? …
- You’re doing a great job. …
- Maybe she thinks I’m the only thing keeping you from doing that.
Can he play or plays?
Re: Can Play or Can Plays
She can play the piano. She can plays the piano. We do not use forms like plays after verbs like can/must/will/would, etc.
When to use are or is?
When deciding whether to use is or are, look at whether the noun is plural or singular. If the noun is singular, use is. If it is plural or there is more than one noun, use are. The cat is eating all of his food.
Will play in the sentence?
I will play great. I will play these numbers, 411″. He said, simply, «I will play». I will play my part.
What are you doing related sentence?
«Jonny, what are you doing here?» she demanded, pulling away from the man behind her. Now what are you doing ? Well, mon cher, what are you doing personally?
What are the doing words?
Words which show what people and things are doing are called Verbs. They are also called Action Words.
Can I start a sentence with by doing so?
Many people have been taught that it’s wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction, but nearly all the major style guides say it’s fine. … Although many people were taught to avoid starting a sentence with a conjunction, all major style guides say that doing so is fine.
What word is read?
As detailed above, ‘read’ can be a noun, an adverb or a verb. Verb usage: Have you read this book? Verb usage: He doesn’t like to read. Verb usage: He read us a passage from his new book.
Are make sentence in English?
Are sentence example. You are my hero. What time are we going to leave tomorrow? These are my other two daughters, Dulce and Alondra.
How can I write a good sentence in English?
6 Tips for Writing Good Sentences
- Keep it simple. Long sentences or overly complex sentences don’t necessarily make sophisticated sentence writing. …
- Use concrete rhetoric. …
- Employ parallelism. …
- Mind your grammar. …
- Properly punctuate. …
- Practice writing.
What is a make sentence?
A sentence is a grammatically complete idea. All sentences have a noun or pronoun component called the subject, and a verb part called the predicate. David and Paige explore this division across several different example sentences.
What do we mean by play?
Play is something you can do alone or with someone, something that involves being active, something that totally captures your attention and gives you enjoyment.
What is your definition of play?
Play is the work of children. It consists of those activities performed for self-amusement that have behavioral, social, and psychomotor rewards. It is child-directed, and the rewards come from within the individual child; it is enjoyable and spontaneous.
What are the examples of verb?
Action verb examples:
- Run.
- Dance.
- Slide.
- Jump.
- Think.
- Do.
- Go.
- Stand.
What to say instead of how are you?
- How are you doing?
- How have you been?
- How’s everything?
- How’s it going?
- How are things going?
- What’s going on?
- What’s new?
- What’s up?
1
Examples of how to use the word “play” in a sentence. How to connect “play” with other words to make correct English sentences.
play (v, n): a piece of writing that is intended to be acted in a theatre or on radio or television; When you play, especially as a child, you spend time doing an enjoyable and/or entertaining activity
Use “play” in a sentence
| We have to play fair, whether we win or lose. |
| I play tennis an hour a day. |
| I would like to learn to play an instrument. |
| Can you play any musical instruments? |
| Don’t let the kid play with knives. |
| Can you play any musical instruments? |
| Children like to play outdoors. |
| Do you want to play cards with us? |
| I haven’t got anybody to play with! |
| The play is based on a real-life event.
Back to “3000 Most Common Words in English” |
Used with nouns:
«I play the violin.«
(violin, piano, flute, clarinet, horn) *many additional nouns
«We play chess every Friday night.«
(chess, poker, cards)
«I want to play an instrument.«
(instrument, game, sport)
«We play baseball.«
(baseball, golf, basketball) *many additional nouns
«The band played a song.«
(song, encore, melody, tune, concert)
«He plays the lottery every week.«
(lottery)
«He played the video.«
(music, video, CD, tape)
«The band played well.«
(band, orchestra)
«The actor played an interesting character.«
(character, role, part)
«I played a chord on the piano.«
(chord, note)
«She played a trick on me.«
(trick, prank, joke)
«They played a game.«
(game, tournament, match)
«Our team played yesterday.«
(team)
«He plays defense on the football team.«
(defense, offense, center, forward)
Used with adverbs:
«The children play together.«
(together, nicely)
«She played badly today.«
( badly, poorly, well)
«He plays alone.«
(alone)
«The band played live.«
(live)
Used with prepositions:
«I want to play with my friends.«
(with)
«He played a song on the piano.«
(on, with)
«We played at the park.«
(at, in)
«Our team played against them.«
(against)
«He is playing in the sand.«
(in)
«He plays for our team.«
(for, on)
Antonym: work. Similar words: playoff, player, display, fair play, play with, on display, lay out, clay. Meaning: [pleɪ] 
n. 1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage 2. a theatrical performance of a drama 3. a preset plan of action in team sports 4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill 5. a state in which action is feasible 6. utilization or exercise 7. an attempt to get something 8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules 9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds 10. the removal of constraints 11. a weak and tremulous light 12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another’s expense but not to be taken seriously) 13. movement or space for movement 14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement 15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession 16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) 17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully. v. 1. participate in games or sport 2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome 3. play on an instrument 4. play a role or part 5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children 6. replay (as a melody) 7. perform music on (a musical instrument) 8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind 9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly 10. bet or wager (money) 11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion 12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity 13. emit recorded sound 14. perform on a certain location 15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game 16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously 17. behave in a certain way 18. cause to emit recorded sounds 19. manipulate manually or in one’s mind or imagination 20. use to one’s advantage 21. consider not very seriously 22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way 23. behave carelessly or indifferently 24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space 25. perform on a stage or theater 26. be performed 27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence 28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream 29. make bets 30. stake on the outcome of an issue 31. shoot or hit in a particular manner 32. use or move 33. employ in a game or in a specific position 34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle 35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line.
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1. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. 
2. Fair words will not make the pot play.
3. He is not a wise man who cannot play the fool on occasion.
4. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy; all play and no work makes Jack a mere boy.
5. If wise men play the fool, they do it with a vengeance.
6. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
7. It is better to play with the ears than the tongue.
8. He would rather play than work.
9. The play received rave reviews from the critics.
10. The play was a very great success.
10. Sentencedict.com try its best to collect and create good sentences.
11. I play tennis twice a week.
12. He loves to play table tennis.
13. The play makes a strong political statement.
14. Who would you like to play with?
15. The play bubbled with songs and dances.
16. No big deal. I’ll ask John to play.
17. The team will definitely lose if he doesn’t play.
18. Children will play wherever they happen to be.
19. The boys wanted to play football.
20. You can go boating or play tennis.
21. He can play in the outfield.
22. They auditioned him for a part in the play.
23. Would you like to play golf with me?
24. The play is a murder mystery.
25. He was on stage for most of the play.
26. In today’s match England play their old enemy, Scotland.
27. The play can be read as allegory.
28. I haven’t got anybody to play with!
29. He challenged me to play another tennis game.
30. How would u like to play golf tomorrow?
More similar words: playoff, player, display, fair play, play with, on display, lay out, clay, lay up, delay, layer, lay off, lay down, lay over, lay aside, plan, plant, place, plate, planet, explain, replace, plastic, in place, platform, planner, complaint, airplane, planning, in place of.
- Top Definitions
- Synonyms
- Quiz
- Related Content
- More About Play
- Examples
- British
- Idioms And Phrases
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun
a dramatic composition or piece; drama.
a dramatic performance, as on the stage.
exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.
fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.
a pun: On this article about encroaching grizzlies, the headline “Bear with us” is a play on the word “bear.”
the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.
the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.
an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.
one’s turn to play: Whose play is it?
an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver: They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play.
an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play.
action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play;foul play.
action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy.
brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water.
elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky.
a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.
freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism.
freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind.
attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.
an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor’s speech got two plays on our local station.
verb (used with object)
to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth.
to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage.
to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor.
to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool;to play God.
to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities.
to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).
to contend against in a game.
to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left field.
to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card.
to use as if in playing a game, as for one’s own advantage: He played his brothers against each other.
to stake or wager, as in a game.
to lay a wager or wagers on (something).
to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play pirates.
to perform on (a musical instrument).
to perform (music) on an instrument.
to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: Do you mind if I play the radio?Stop playing YouTube videos and get to work!
to do or perform: You shouldn’t play tricks.Compromise plays an important part in marriage.
to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch.
to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain.
to operate or cause to operate, especially continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire.
to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.
to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), especially prominently: Play the flood photos on page one.
to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.).
verb (used without object)
to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.
to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously.
to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often followed by with).
to take part or engage in a game.
to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.
to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair.
to act on or as if on the stage; perform.
to perform on a musical instrument.
(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening.
(of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night.
to be performed or shown: What’s playing at the movie theater around the corner?
to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well.
Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator’s proposal play with the public?
to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.
to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air.
to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors.
to operate continuously or with repeated action.
Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play.
Verb Phrases
play along,
- to cooperate or concur; go along.
- to pretend to cooperate or concur.
play around, Informal.
- to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around.
- to be sexually promiscuous.
- to be sexually unfaithful.
play at,
- to pretend interest in: It’s obvious that you’re just playing at fishing for my sake.
- to do something without seriousness: He is merely playing at being a student.
play back, to play (a recording, especially one newly made): Play it back and let’s hear how I sound.
play down, to treat as of little importance; minimize: He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise.
play off,
- Sports. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie.
- Sports. to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion.
- to set (one person or thing) against another, usually for one’s own gain or advantage: The children could usually get what they wanted by playing one parent off against the other.
play on / upon to exploit, as the feelings or weaknesses of another; take selfish advantage of: She would never think of playing on the good nature of others.
play out,
- to evolve or progress toward a conclusion; unfold; turn out: Right now it’s too early to tell how all this will play out.
- to come or bring to an end; finish: The full consequences of the decision have yet to be played out.
- to play to the end of (something): When the camera started rolling, I knew exactly how much time I had to play out the full scene.
- to use up or be used up; exhaust or be exhausted: Mining towns quickly sprouted, and just as quickly disappeared once the coal supply played out.And when that groundwater supply is played out, then what?
- to reel or pay out, as a rope, line, etc.: By the time he reached the bottom of the cavern, his friends on the surface had played out 150 feet of rope.
play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize: The schools are playing up their science programs.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Which sentence is correct?
Idioms about play
bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial.
come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We’re a small new business, but we came to play.
- to try to attract, especially sexually: He made a play for his friend’s girlfriend.
- to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets.
- exhausted; weary.
- out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York.
- used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced.
in / out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play.
make a play for, Informal.
play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself.
play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct.
played out,
play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, especially to employ deception to gain one’s ends: to play fast and loose with someone’s affections.
play for time, to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision: Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time.
play into someone’s hands, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, especially an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands.Also play into the hands of .
play it by ear, to improvise, especially in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors: If you can’t come up with a plan, we’ll just have to play it by ear.
play it safe, to act cautiously; avoid risk or danger: She usually plays it safe on the red carpet, wearing simple, classic designs.Also play safe .
play up to, Informal. to attempt to impress in order to gain someone’s favor: Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates.
play with oneself, Informal. to masturbate.
Origin of play
First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English plei(e) “merriment, sport, pleasure,” Old English plega “quick movement, play” (as in swordplay); (verb) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien “to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad”)
synonym study for play
3. Play, game, sport refer to forms of diverting activity. Play is the general word for any such form of activity, often undirected, spontaneous, or random: Childhood should be a time for play. Game refers to a recreational contest, mental or physical, usually governed by set rules: a game of chess. Besides referring to an individual contest, game may refer to a pastime as a whole: Golf is a good game. If, however, the pastime is one (usually an outdoor one) depending chiefly on physical strength, though not necessarily a contest, the word sport is applied: Football is a vigorous sport.
OTHER WORDS FROM play
play·ing·ly, adverbplay·less, adjectiveplay·like, adjectivecoun·ter·play, noun
non·play·ing, adjectiveself-play·ing, adjectiveun·played, adjectiveun·play·ing, adjectivewell-played, adjective
Words nearby play
plaudit, Plauen, plausible, plausive, Plautus, play, playa, playability, playable, playact, play-action pass
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT PLAY
What is a basic definition of play?
A play is a performance that is done on a stage or in a theater. Play also means to engage in a fun activity or to emit sound or video from a media device. Play has many other senses as both a noun and a verb.
In theater, a play is a performance during which actors recite lines from a script and perform the actions of the characters. The written work that includes the dialogue and story is also called a play. A person who writes plays is known as a playwright.
Real-life examples: Famous plays include Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.
Used in a sentence: My boyfriend and I are going to see a play tomorrow.
Play means to engage in something fun or enjoyable. A person who plays is called a player.
Real-life examples: Children play games during recess. Athletes play sports. Musicians play instruments. Gamblers play card games. Animal lovers play with their pets.
Used in a sentence: I like to play basketball with my friends after school.
Play also means to produce sound or images on a media device.
Real-life examples: A “play button” on a remote control or a YouTube video is what you press to tell a device, program, or app to begin producing sound and/or video. The play symbol usually resembles a triangle pointed to the right.
Used in a sentence: The DJ booth played great music while everybody danced.
Where does play come from?
The first records of the word play come from before 900. As a noun, it ultimately comes from the Old English plega. As a verb, it ultimately comes from the Old English plegian, which is related to the Middle Dutch pleien, meaning “to leap for joy” or “to rejoice.”
Did you know … ?
How is play used in real life?
Play is most often used to mean someone is having fun or is using a media device to entertain themselves.
I am 30 years old. I am graduating from grad school next month (knock on wood). I just had a stress dream where I ruined my high school play because I didn’t know my lines.
— the third mel in the spice girls (@shorthoneybee) November 9, 2020
I am having a hard time studying for my economics final for many reasons but the biggest thing is every time I read about monopolies I just want to play monopoly
— Molly O’Regan (@MollyORegan23) November 19, 2020
Moms love playing videos on their phone at max volume
— maya (@mayajkn) November 24, 2020
Try using play!
Which of the following words is most closely related to play?
A. fun
B. boredom
C. work
D. stress
Words related to play
comedy, drama, hit, musical, opera, performance, show, game, match, sport, action, dance, participate, do, perform, portray, present, put, set, take
How to use play in a sentence
-
You can say this verbatim because it doesn’t put his chef-feelings in play.
-
Also working in the Capitals’ favor has been an unexpected week off — the result of three games postponed because of coronavirus issues — after less than a month of play.
-
There is at least some indication that Williams might also be struggling with her very next stroke following a return hit in play.
-
So far during Big Ten play, 17 men’s basketball games have been postponed.
-
He believed his front seven could stop running plays even with the safeties backed up.
-
Have there been discussions with FX regarding an Archer movie, and how do you think that would play out?
-
Father Joel Román Salazar died in a car crash in 2013; his death was ruled an accident, but the suspicion of foul play persists.
-
He plays an aging punk rocker and I play the drummer from his old band.
-
When fathers hold and play with their children, oxytocin and prolactin kick in, priming them for bonding.
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Ironically, the play deals with the ‘management’ of information by the Establishment.
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I assure you, no matter how beautifully we play any piece, the minute Liszt plays it, you would scarcely recognize it!
-
But I hope at least to play to him a few times, and what is more important, to hear him play repeatedly.
-
To fill up the time till Liszt came, our hostess made us play, one after the other, beginning with the latest arrival.
-
Again the sallow fingers began to play with the book-covers, passing from one to another, but always slowly and gently.
-
Her attachment to impressionism leads this artist to many experiments in color—or, as one critic wrote, «to play with color.»
British Dictionary definitions for play
verb
to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game)
(tr) to contend against (an opponent) in a sport or gameEd played Tony at chess and lost
to fulfil or cause to fulfil (a particular role) in a team gamehe plays defence; he plays in the defence
(tr) to address oneself to (a ball) in a gameplay the ball not the man
(intr; often foll by about or around) to behave carelessly, esp in a way that is unconsciously cruel or hurtful; trifle or dally (with)to play about with a young girl’s affections
(when intr, often foll by at) to perform or act the part (of) in or as in a dramatic production; assume or simulate the role (of)to play the villain; just what are you playing at?
to act out or perform (a dramatic production)
to give a performance in (a place) or (of a performance) to be given in a place
(intr) to be receivedHow will these policies play in Middle England?
to have the ability to perform on (a musical instrument)David plays the harp
to perform (on a musical instrument) as specifiedhe plays out of tune
(tr)
- to reproduce (a tune, melody, piece of music, note, etc) on an instrument
- to perform works by (a specific composer)to play Brahms
to discharge or cause to dischargehe played the water from the hose onto the garden
to operate, esp to cause (a record player, radio, etc) to emit sound or (of a record player, radio, etc) to emit (sound)he played a record; the radio was playing loudly
to move or cause to move freely, quickly, or irregularlylights played on the scenery
(tr) stock exchange to speculate or operate aggressively for gain in (a market)
(tr) angling to attempt to tire (a hooked fish) by alternately letting out and reeling in line and by using the rod’s flexibility
to put (a card, counter, piece, etc) into play
to gamble (money) on a game
play ball informal to cooperate
play fair or play fair with someone to prove oneself fair in one’s dealings
play false or play fair with someone to prove oneself unfair in one’s dealings
play for time to delay the outcome of some activity so as to gain time to one’s own advantage
play into the hands of to act directly to the advantage of (an opponent)
noun
a dramatic composition written for performance by actors on a stage, on television, etc; drama
- the performance of a dramatic composition
- (in combination)playreader
- games, exercise, or other activity undertaken for pleasure, diversion, etc, esp by children
- (in combination)playroom
- (as modifier)play dough
manner of action, conduct, or playingfair play
the playing or conduct of a game or the period during which a game is in progressrain stopped play
US and Canadian a move or manoeuvre in a gamea brilliant play
the situation of a ball that is within the defined area and being played according to the rules (in the phrases in play, out of play)
a turn to playit’s my play
the act of playing for stakes; gambling
action, activity, or operationthe play of the imagination
freedom of or scope or space for movementtoo much play in the rope
light, free, or rapidly shifting motionthe play of light on the water
fun, jest, or jokingI only did it in play
call into play to bring into operation
make a play for informal
- to make an obvious attempt to gain
- to attempt to attract or seduce
Derived forms of play
playability, nounplayable, adjective
Word Origin for play
Old English plega (n), plegan (vb); related to Middle Dutch pleyen
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with play
In addition to the idioms beginning with play
- play along
- play a losing game
- play around
- play at
- play a waiting game
- play back
- play ball
- play both ends against the middle
- play by ear
- play cat and mouse
- play down
- played out
- play fair
- play false
- play fast and loose
- play footsie
- play for
- play for keeps
- play for laughs
- play for time
- play games
- play hardball
- play hard to get
- play havoc
- play hide and seek
- play hooky
- play in Peoria
- play into the hands of
- play it close to one’s chest
- play it cool
- play it safe
- play musical chairs
- play off
- play on
- play one’s cards close to one’s chest
- play one’s cards right
- play one’s trump card
- play on words
- play out
- play politics
- play possum
- play safe
- play second fiddle
- play the devil with
- play the field
- play the fool
- play the game
- play the heavy
- play the market
- play to the gallery
- play up
- play upon
- play up to
- play with fire
also see:
- all work and no play
- child’s play
- devil’s advocate, play
- fair play
- foul play
- game that two can play
- grandstand play
- in play
- make a play for
- musical chairs, play
- squeeze play
- trump card, play one’s
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.