How does the noun play differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of play are fun, game, jest, and sport. While all these words mean «action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter,» play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.
pretended to strangle his brother in play
In what contexts can fun take the place of play?
While the synonyms fun and play are close in meaning, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.
played cards just for fun
How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of play?
Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.
made game of their poor relations
When can jest be used instead of play?
While in some cases nearly identical to play, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.
hurt by remarks said only in jest
When would sport be a good substitute for play?
Although the words sport and play have much in common, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.
teasing begun in sport led to anger
What is another word for Play?
Use filters to view other words, we have 3410 synonyms for play.
If you know synonyms for Play, then you can share it or put your rating in listed similar words.
playful, playfulness, playground, playhouse, playing, player, playroom, playtime, played, playback, playable, playlet
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Among the vast variety of Sanskrit poetic forms was also ingenious art of chitrakavya, combining visual poetry and word play. It included vilomakavya—syllabic palindromes and bidirectional verses.
Using excellent word play with the words gadda’ and gadha’, the commercial defines the important role voice quality plays in effective communication.
A spokesman for the Kenilworth Road library said: «Magic spells, nonsense poems, making up new words, creating puns and word play are all part of the experience.
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play that suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect.
MAKE a wacky body flipbook that doubles as a word play activity to while away any rainy days as the summer holiday draws to a close.
Lavishly embellished with bold and scratchy black and white illustrations which capture the full awfulness of all the characters, this fast-moving novel offers crazy action, creative word play and wildly hilarious plot.
«Mo is an energetic and passionate teenager, full of promise and potential who has his own brand of lovely word play that could lighten any room.»
Word play is so deeply appreciated that, as Robert Brower and Earl Miner point out in Japanese Court Poetry, there are at least three poetic terms for it: engo («word association,» i.e., a word that has or creates an association with the preceding word or situation, often bringing out an additional dimension), honkadori («allusive variation,» which can be compared to literary allusion, is specifically the echoing of the words …
«We believe successive Governments have engaged with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in denial and word play to negate proper testing, treatment and compensation for thousands who are blatantly ill.
«Flaunting the Law» (sic) is either a deeply recursive word play, in the incomprehensible manner of Proust’s aunts, or more likely, someone really didn’t know the difference between flaunt and flout.
Summary: Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Friday that an Israeli call to renew peace talks was mere «word play» and the US should be doing more to resolve conflict in the Middle East.AaAssad was in Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and said ties with France had greatly improved in recent months, after a long period of frosty relations.
—Syria Dismisses Israel Talk Offer, says Israeli Offer For Talks Is «Word Play«
In Nurturing Knowledge, Susan Neuman and Kathleen Roskos identify what they call «the five most powerful literacy practices»: creating a supportive learning environment; shared book reading; singing, rhyming, and word play; writing; and literacy-based play.
This guides elementary and secondary teachers through the words and symbols of mathematics, mathematical word play, metacognition for mathematical thinking, defining formats that increase clarity, expanding mathematical vocabularies through morphology and etymology, using profiles and frames to improve organization, explaining concepts clearly, relating mathematical writing to other disciplines, using the personal touch, including humor, and making the most of knowing how to communicate through mathematics.
The British have a curious love of word play, even though it makes them wince.
- Top Definitions
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- 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
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You can say this verbatim because it doesn’t put his chef-feelings in play.
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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.
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There is at least some indication that Williams might also be struggling with her very next stroke following a return hit in play.
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So far during Big Ten play, 17 men’s basketball games have been postponed.
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He believed his front seven could stop running plays even with the safeties backed up.
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Have there been discussions with FX regarding an Archer movie, and how do you think that would play out?
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Father Joel Román Salazar died in a car crash in 2013; his death was ruled an accident, but the suspicion of foul play persists.
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He plays an aging punk rocker and I play the drummer from his old band.
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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!
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But I hope at least to play to him a few times, and what is more important, to hear him play repeatedly.
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To fill up the time till Liszt came, our hostess made us play, one after the other, beginning with the latest arrival.
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Again the sallow fingers began to play with the book-covers, passing from one to another, but always slowly and gently.
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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.
Princeton’s WordNet
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word playnoun
playing on words or speech sounds
How to pronounce word play?
How to say word play in sign language?
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