About The Word Play

Bay Area Crosswords

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Play

Play Meaning & Definition
Play Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Play?

[n] the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
[n] play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
[n] the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
[n] the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize); "his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
[n] gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement; "it was all done in play"; "their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"
[n] a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; "he made a great play"
[n] a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
[n] an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
[n] utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"
[n] movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
[n] verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously); "he became a figure of fun"
[n] a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage; "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
[n] a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"
[n] a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
[n] the removal of constraints; "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
[n] a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
[n] (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
[v] engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously; "They played games on their opponents"; "play the stockmarket"; "play with her feelings"; "toy with an idea"
[v] pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
[v] put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game; "He is playing his cards close to his chest"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
[v] exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked fish"
[v] consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
[v] participate in games or sports; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
[v] contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"
[v] employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"
[v] use or move; "I had to play my queen"
[v] shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"
[v] bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
[v] stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
[v] make bets; "Play the reaces"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
[v] use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"
[v] discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
[v] manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination; "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
[v] cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
[v] perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
[v] be performed; "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
[v] cause to be emit recorded sounds; "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "Can you play my favorite record?"
[v] emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
[v] play a role or part; "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
[v] perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in"Julius Caesar"; "I played in"A Christmas Carol"
[v] pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
[v] as of melodies; "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
[v] play (music) on an instrument; "The band played all night long"
[v] perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
[v] move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"
[v] cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space, as of machinery; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
[v] act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome; "This factor played only a minor part in his decision"; "This development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"
[v] engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
[v] be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children; "The kids were playing outside all day"; "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
[v] behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young girl's affection"
[v] behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe";"play fair"
[v] be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way; "This speech didn't play well with the American public"; "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Play: act as | bet | bid | bring | caper | child's play | dally | dally | diddle | drama | fiddle | flirt | free rein | frolic | fun | gambling | gambol | gaming | looseness | make for | maneuver | manoeuvre | period of play | playing period | recreate | represent | romp | run | shimmer | spiel | sport | toy | toy | toy | trifle | turn | wager | work | wreak

Related Terms | Find terms related to Play: abuse | accentuate | accompany | act | act a part | act as | act as foil | act out | act up | acting | action | actions | activism | activity | ad lib | affect | agree | air space | ALGOL | alphabetic data | alphanumeric code | ample scope | amuse | amusement | angular data | ante | ante up | antic | antimasque | ape | appear | apple-polish | appliance | application | article | artifice | assembler | assume | attention | audience success | autograph | back | ball | ballet | barnstorm | be effective | be in action | be occupied with | be responsible for | be unfaithful | beguile | behave | behavior | belittle | belly laugh | bet | bet on | betting | bicker | big time | binary digit | binary scale | binary system | bit | blank check | blue story | bluff | bomb | book | bout | brainchild | broadcast drama | brown-nose | bug | build up | burlesque show | butter up | byte | calculated risk | call | call attention to | caper | caracole | cardsharping | carouse | carry on | carry out | carry through | carte blanche | cast lots | casting lots | cause trouble | cavort | challenge | chance | charade | chord | chunk | clearance | cliff hanger | closet drama | COBOL | come out | comedy drama | command pulses | commands | compete with | compiler | composition | computer code | computer language | computer printout | computer program | concertize | conduct | consider | contend with | contest | control signals | controlled quantity | cooperate | copy | coquet | correcting signals | counterfeit | court | cover | cover up | coverage | critical success | curvet | cut a dido | cut capers | cut lots | cut the cards | cut up | dabble | dally | dance | dancing | data | daytime serial | deal with | decathlon | decry | de-emphasize | delay | delectation | delight | demeanor | depict | deportment | deprecate | device | dialogue | dido | diminish | direct | dirty joke | dirty story | discourse | disparage | disport | dissemble | dissimulate | diversion | divert | do | do a bit | do with | document | documentary drama | doing | double entendre | double-header | doubles | draft | drama | dramalogue | dramatic play | dramatic series | dramatize | draw lots | draw straws | drive | duodrama | duologue | edited version | elbowroom | emote | emotionalize | emphasize | employ | employment | enact | engage | engage in | engrossment | enjoyment | entertain | entertainment | epic theater | error | error signals | essay | ethnic joke | event | execute | exercise | exert | experimental theater | exploit | extemporize | extravaganza | fade | failure | fair copy | fake | feedback pulses | feedback signals | feign | feint | fiction | fiddle | fiddle with | fiddle-faddle | fidget | fidget with | field | film data | final draft | finesse | finger with | finished version | first draft | flatter | flexibility | flicker | flickering | flickering light | flier | flimsy | flirt | flop | flounce | flutter | fluttering | fool | fool around | fool with | FORTRAN | fortune | four-flush | foursome | free course | free hand | free play | free scope | freedom | fribble | frisk | frivol | frivolity | frolic | full scope | full swing | fun | fun and games | function | functioning | funmaking | funny story | gag | gambit | gamble | gambling | gambol | game | games of chance | gaming | gammon | gasser | get top billing | gimmick | give | giveaway | glancing light | go | go along with | good one | good story | good time | Grand Guignol | great fun | gush | handbook | handle | happening | have effect | have free play | have fun | have play | hazard | hazarding | headroom | hesitate | hexadecimal system | high old time | high time | highlight | histrionize | hit | hit show | holograph | horse around | horseplay | howler | idle | impersonate | impose on | improvisational drama | improvise | information | input data | input quantity | instructions | interpret | jape | jerk off | jest | jestbook | jet | jockey | join in | joke | kid around | lambency | latitude | laugh | laughs | lay | lay a wager | lay down | leeway | legitimate drama | let on | let on like | letter | light show | literae scriptae | literary artefact | literary production | literature | loiter | long rope | looseness | lot | lovely time | luck | lucubration | machine language | make | make a bet | make a pretense | make as if | make believe | make go | make light of | make like | make music | make out like | make use of | malfunction | manage | maneuver | maneuvering space | manipulate | manuscript | margin | masque | masquerade as | match | match coins | matter | meet | meet a bet | melodrama | merrymaking | mess around | mess with | message | militate | mime | mimic | minimize | minstrel show | miracle | miracle play | misbehave | misuse | monkey | monkey around | monkey business | monodrama | monologue | morality | morality play | motion | move | movement | movements | multiple messages | music drama | musical revue | mystery | mystery play | no holds barred | noise | nonfiction | numeric data | occupation | octal system | open space | opera | operate | operation | operations | opus | original | oscillograph data | output data | output quantity | overact | pageant | panel show | panic | pantomime | paper | parchment | parlay | participate | participate in | pass | pass for | Passion play | pastoral | pastoral drama | patter | pentathlon | percolate | perform | perform on | perk | personate | philander | picnic | piddle | piece | piece of writing | pilot | place | play a part | play a scene | play against | play around | play at dice | play ball | play by ear | play down | play for time | play of light | play on | play possum | play the game | play the lead | play the ponies | play up | play up to | play with | playact | playing | playlet | play-off | pleasant time | pleasure | ploy | plunge | ply | poem | point | polar data | portray | pose as | potter | practice | praxis | pretend | pretend to be | printed matter | printout | problem play | proceed | procrastinate | production | profess | psychodrama | punch-card data | punt | put | put on | put on airs | putter | quiver | quivering | quiz show | race | radio drama | raffle off | random data | range | reading matter | recension | recreate | recreation | rectangular data | reference quantity | register | render | revelry | review | revue | rib tickler | riot | risk | risking | rival | rollick | romp | room | room to spare | rope | ruly English | run | run around | runoff | scope | scream | screed | scrip | script | scrive | scroll | sea room | second draft | see | see to | sensational play | serial | serve | set | sham | shoot craps | shot | show | sick joke | sidesplitter | sight gag | signals | simulate | single messages | singles | sitcom | situation comedy | sketch | skip | skit | skylarking | sleep around | smatter | soap | soap opera | sociodrama | soft-soap | sortition | space | spare room | spectacle | speculate | speculation | spew | spit | sport | sporting | sportiveness | spotlight | spout | spray | spritz | spurt | spurtle | squirt | stage play | stage show | stake | staking | stall for time | stand pat | star | steal the show | steer | stooge | story | straight drama | stratagem | stress | success | suck up to | surge | suspense drama | swing | symphonize | tableau | tableau vivant | take | take advantage of | take care of | take effect | take off | take on | take part in | take up | talk show | tease | teleplay | television drama | television play | temporize | the written word | theater of cruelty | think about | think nothing of | threesome | tick | tinker | toady to | tolerance | Tom show | tomfoolery | toss | total theater | toy | toy with | trade on | transcript | transcription | tread the boards | treatment | trifle | trifle with | trip | troupe | truckle to | tug the heartstrings | twiddle | twosome | typescript | uncertainty | underline | underscore | undertake | unorganized data | upstage | use | utilize | variety show | vaudeville | vaudeville show | vehicle | venture | version | vie with | visible-speech data | visual joke | vomit | vomit forth | vomit out | wager | wagering | waver | way | wear | well | wheeze | wide berth | wield | wile | wing it | womanize | word-of-mouth success | work | work together | working | workings | wow | writing | yarn

See Also | accompany | ace | act | act | act | act out | action | action | activeness | activity | activity | alteration | amount | apply | arouse | arrange | arse around | assist | assume | at-bat | athletic game | athletic game | attack | attempt | back | backstop | ball hawking | bandy | bang out | baseball play | basketball play | bat | beat | beat | behave | bet | bet on | bid | blitz | bout | bow | bowl | bring about | bring off | bring on | bring up | bugle | bully off | call | call down | call forth | carry off | catch | cavort | change | chord | chukka | chukker | clarion | clowning | comedy | compete | complete | completion | confront | conjure | conjure up | consider | contend | coquetry | cover | cradle | create | cricket | croquet | curl | curtain raiser | dabble | dalliance | deal | debut | declare | deploy | develop | die | discharge | displace | disport | diversion | do | doctor | down | dramatic composition | dramatic work | drollery | drum | effect | effectuate | effort | emote | employ | employment | enact | endeavor | endeavour | entertain | evoke | exercise | exhaust | exit | exploit | face | face off | feign | fencing | fiddle | field | figure | final period | fireman | first period | flirt | flirt with | flirtation | flirting | follow | folly | fool | fool around | foolery | football play | footwork | foul | frame | freedom | frisk | frolic | fullback | fumble | funniness | gage | gamble | gambling game | gambol | game | game | game of chance | go | golf | golf hole | half | ham | harp | hit | hole | horse around | horseplay | house | humor | humour | icing | icing the puck | impersonate | induce | indulgence | inning | innings | invoke | jazz | jocosity | jocularity | jugglery | knock on | lark | lark about | lead | linebacker blitzing | locomote | look at | make | manage | manipulate | measure | mime | miracle play | misplay | misplay | modification | modulate | morality play | motion | mousetrap | movability | movableness | move | move | move | movement | musical | musical comedy | musical theater | mystery play | nail | negociate | obstruction | over | overact | overplay | paddle | pantomime | parody | paronomasia | pass completion | Passion play | perform | period | pipe | plan of action | play out | playlet | portray | prelude | promote | pull off | pun | punning | punt | put forward | putt | quantity | quantum | quarter | quarterback | rag | raise | raise | razmataz | razzle | razzle-dazzle | razzmatazz | recapitulate | re-create | recreation | reenact | register | repeat | replay | replay | reprise | reprize | revoke | rollick | romp | round | ruff | run around | safety blitz | satyr play | second period | see | seesaw | set | set up | sham | shot | show | simulate | skirl | skylark | slack | slackness | slur | snooker | sound | sound off | splash around | spoof | sport | sporting life | stage | stage direction | stake | start | start | starting | stir | stooge | strike up | stroke | stroke | support | swing | swordplay | symphonise | symphonize | take | teasing | tee off | theater of the absurd | think about | think of | third period | throw | tomfoolery | tongue | toy with | toying | trap play | travel | trumpet | trumping | try | tucker | tucker out | turn | tweedle | unblock | underact | underplay | underplay | unlicensed gambling | usage | use | use | utilisation | utilise | utilization | utilize | vice | vie | volley | wager | waggery | waggishness | walk | wash up | wiggliness | wit | witticism | wittiness | word play | wordplay | work

Play In Webster's Dictionary

\Play\, v. t. {To play hob}, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief. Plebs \Plebs\ (pl[e^]bz), n. [L. Cf. {Plebe}.] 1. The commonalty of ancient Rome who were citizens without the usual political rights; the plebeians; -- distinguished from the {patricians}. 2. Hence, the common people; the populace; -- construed as a pl.
\Play\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Played}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Playing}.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G. pflegen; of unknown origin. [root]28. Cf. {Plight}, n.] 1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot. As Cannace was playing in her walk. --Chaucer. The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play! --Pope. And some, the darlings of their Lord, Play smiling with the flame and sword. --Keble. 2. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. ``Nay,'' quod this monk, ``I have no lust to pleye.'' --Chaucer. Men are apt to play with their healths. --Sir W. Temple. 3. To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes. 4. To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute. One that . . . can play well on an instrument. --Ezek. xxxiii. 32. Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. --Granville. 5. To act; to behave; to practice deception. His mother played false with a smith. --Shak. 6. To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays. The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs play. --Cheyne. 7. To move gayly; to wanton; to disport. Even as the waving sedges play with wind. --Shak. The setting sun Plays on their shining arms and burnished helmets. --Addison. All fame is foreign but of true desert, Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. --Pope. 8. To act on the stage; to personate a character. A lord will hear your play to-night. --Shak. Courts are theaters where some men play. --Donne. {To play into a person's hands}, to act, or to manage matters, to his advantage or benefit. {To play off}, to affect; to feign; to practice artifice. {To play upon}. (a) To make sport of; to deceive. Art thou alive? Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight. --Shak. (b) To use in a droll manner; to give a droll expression or application to; as, to play upon words.
\Play\, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. --Herbert. 2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ. 3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin. 4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks. Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies. --Milton. 5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman. Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. --Sir W. Scott. 6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball. 7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it. {To play off}, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks. {To play one's cards}, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive. {Played out}, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [Colloq.]
\Play\, n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. 2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. John naturally loved rough play. --Arbuthnot. 3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play. 4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. ``The next who comes in play.'' --Dryden. 5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action. A play ought to be a just image of human nature. --Dryden. 6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play. 7. Performance on an instrument of music. 8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action. ``To give them play, front and rear.'' --Milton. The joints are let exactly into one another, that they have no play between them. --Moxon. 9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth. {Play actor}, an actor of dramas. --Prynne. {Play debt}, a gambling debt. --Arbuthnot. {Play pleasure}, idle amusement. [Obs.] --Bacon. {A play upon words}, the use of a word in such a way as to be capable of double meaning; punning. {Play of colors}, prismatic variation of colors. {To bring into play}, {To come into play}, to bring or come into use or exercise. {To hold in play}, to keep occupied or employed. I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play. --Macaulay.

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