play

noun

(uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

(uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.

(uncountable, sports, with certain prepositions, also figurative) The sphere or circumstance in which a playing implement, such as a ball, is available to be played (see also in play, out of play).

(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.

(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.

(turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.

(countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

(countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.

(countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.

(uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)

(uncountable) Freedom to move.

The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.

(uncountable, informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

(countable) An instance of watching or listening to media.

(countable, uncountable) An instance or instances of causing media to be watched or heard, such as by broadcasting.

(countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.

(countable) An instance of wordplay.

(stock ticker symbol) Dave & Buster's.

(archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

verb

(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

(intransitive, especially with 'with'; see also play with) To toy or trifle; to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to be careless.

(transitive, intransitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).

Specifying a particular sporting role or position.

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

(transitive, in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

(intransitive) To contend or fight using weapons, both as practice or in real life-or-death combats; to engage in martial games; to joust; to fence

(intransitive, copulative) To act or behave in a stated way.

To give a false appearance of being; to pretend to be.

(transitive) To act as (the indicated role).

To portray (a character) in (a film or theatre).

(transitive, intransitive) To produce sound (especially music), moving pictures, or theatrical performance.

(transitive, intransitive, especially of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument.

(intransitive, of a musical instrument) To produce music.

(transitive, of a person) To operate (a device or media) so as to cause sound (especially music) or moving pictures to be produced.

(transitive, usually of a person) To render (a musical title, compositional style, film title, etc.) using a musical instrument or device.

(transitive, intransitive, of a device, media, broadcast, etc.) To emit or relay sound (especially music) or moving pictures; (of a device) to operate media.

(intransitive, of a theatrical performance, film or music) To be performed, reproduced, or shown.

(transitive, of a theatrical company or band, etc.) To perform or give performances in or at (a venue or location).

(transitive) To act or perform (a play).

(transitive, intransitive) To move briskly, sweepingly, back and forth, in a directed manner, etc.

To move in a light or brisk manner.

To move so as to fall upon or sweep across something, or to direct or operate (something) in such a manner.

To move in an alternating or reciprocal manner; to move to and fro.

(transitive) To bring into action or motion; to exhibit in action; to execute or deploy.

(transitive) To handle or deal with (a matter or situation) in a stated way.

(transitive) To handle or deal with (something) in a calculating manner intended to achieve profit or gain.

(intransitive) To be received or accepted (in a given way); to go down.

To gamble.

(transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.

(transitive, colloquial) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle.

(African-American Vernacular, intransitive) To kid; to joke; to say something for amusement; to act, or to treat something, unseriously.

(intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love; see also play around.

For additional senses in various idiomatic phrases, see the individual entries, such as play along, play at, play down, play off, play on, play out, play to, play up, etc.

Synonyms for play

playactv playletn gamen symphonizev fiddlen gamboln gamblingn rompn dallyv frolicn toyn funn wagern actn betn draman

Synonyms & related words for play

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of play — including playact, playlet, game, symphonize, fiddle, gambol. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to play

Explore words related to play — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include playgoing, misplay, unplayed, underplay, playreader, playable, rompish, pushball. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for play

Common synonyms for play include playact, playlet, game, symphonize, fiddle, gambol, gambling, romp — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.