📖 WordNook

play

noun
  1. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
    swordplay
  2. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
    gamblinggaming
  3. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
    “Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child”
    child's play
  4. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
    turn
  5. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
    “it was all done in play”
    caperfrolicrompgambol
  6. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
    maneuvermanoeuvre
  7. a preset plan of action in team sports
    “The coach drew up the plays for the team.”
  8. an attempt to get something
    “they made a futile play for power”
    bid
  9. utilization or exercise
    “the play of the imagination”
  10. movement or space for movement
    “there was too much play in the steering wheel”
    looseness
  11. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
    funsport
  12. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
    “The playwright wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway.”
    dramadramatic play
  13. a theatrical performance of a drama
    “the play lasted two hours”
  14. a weak and tremulous light
    shimmer
  15. the removal of constraints
    free rein
  16. a state in which action is feasible
    “the ball was still in play”
  17. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
    “rain stopped play in the 4th inning”
    playing periodperiod of play
verb
  1. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
    “They played games on their opponents”
    toy
  2. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
    act
  3. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
    “play a hooked fish”
  4. consider not very seriously
    trifledally
  5. participate in games or sport
    “We played hockey all afternoon”
  6. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
    “Princeton plays Yale this weekend”
    meetencountertake on
  7. employ in a game or in a specific position
    “They played the shortstop on first base, after the first base player was injured.”
  8. use or move
    “I had to play my queen”
  9. shoot or hit in a particular manner
    “I played a good backhand last night.”
  10. bet or wager
    “I played $20 on the new horse.”
  11. put a card or piece into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
    “They are playing their cards close to their chest.”
  12. stake on the outcome of an issue
    betwager
  13. make bets
  14. use to one's advantage
    “They plays on the consumer's emotions.”
    avail
  15. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
    “play water from a hose”
  16. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    “I played nervously with my wedding ring.”
    toyfiddlediddle
  17. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    workwreakmake for
  18. perform on a certain location
    “The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16”
  19. be performed or presented for public viewing
    “What's playing in the local movie theater?”
  20. cause to emit recorded audio or video
    run
  21. emit recorded sound
    “The tape was playing for hours”
  22. play a role or part
    “Gielgud played Hamlet”
    actrepresent
  23. perform on a stage or theater
    “The understudy will play the part if something happens to the lead actor.”
    actroleplayplayact
  24. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
    “Let's play like I am mommy”
  25. replay (as a melody)
    spiel
  26. play on an instrument
    “The band played all night long”
  27. to perform music on a musical instrument
    “They play the flute.”
  28. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
    “The spotlights played on the politicians”
  29. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
    “The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack”
  30. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
    “This factor played only a minor part in our decision.”
  31. engage in recreational activities rather than work
    recreate
  32. be at play
    “be engaged in playful activity”
  33. behave carelessly or indifferently
    flirttoydally
  34. behave in a certain way
    “play safe”
    make
  35. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
    “This speech didn't play well with the American public”