play (n.)

  1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage; he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

    [ Syn: drama , dramatic play ]

  2. the removal of constraints; he gave free rein to his impulses; they gave full play to the artists talent

    [ Syn: free rein ]

  3. a weak and tremulous light; the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers; the play of light on the water

    [ Syn: shimmer ]

  4. verbal wit or mockery (often at anothers expense but not to be taken seriously); he became a figure of fun; he said it in sport

    [ Syn: fun , sport ]

  5. movement or space for movement; there was too much play in the steering wheel

    [ Syn: looseness ]

  6. 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

    [ Syn: frolic , romp , gambol , caper ]

  7. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; it is my turn; it is still my play

    [ Syn: turn ]

  8. 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

    [ Syn: gambling , gambling , gaming , gaming ]

  9. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

    [ Syn: swordplay ]

  10. a theatrical performance of a drama; the play lasted two hours'

  11. a preset plan of action in team sports; the coach drew up the plays for her team'

  12. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; he made a great maneuver; the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

    [ Syn: maneuver , manoeuvre ]

  13. a state in which action is feasible; the ball was still in play; insiders said the company's stock was in play'

  14. utilization or exercise; the play of the imagination'

  15. an attempt to get something; they made a futile play for power; he made a bid to gain attention

    [ Syn: bid ]

  16. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

    [ Syn: childs play ]

  17. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; rain stopped play in the 4th inning

    [ Syn: playing period , period of play ]

    play (v.)

  1. participate in games or sport; We played hockey all afternoon; play cards; Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches'

  2. bet or wager (money); He played $20 on the new horse; She plays the races'

  3. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion; On weekends I play; The students all recreate alike

    [ Syn: recreate ]

  4. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; Let's play like I am mommy; Play cowboy and Indians'

  5. emit recorded sound; The tape was playing for hours; the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered'

  6. perform on a certain location; The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16; She has been playing on Broadway for years'

  7. 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'

  8. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously; They played games on their opponents; play the stock market; play with her feelings; toy with an idea

    [ Syn: toy ]

  9. behave in a certain way; play safe; play it safe; play fair'

  10. cause to emit recorded audio or video; They ran the tapes over and over again; Ill play you my favorite record; He never tires of playing that video

    [ Syn: run ]

  11. manipulate manually or in ones mind or imagination; She played nervously with her wedding ring; Dont fiddle with the screws; He played with the idea of running for the Senate

    [ Syn: toy , fiddle , diddle ]

  12. 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'

  13. use to one's advantage; She plays on her clients' emotions'

  14. consider not very seriously; He is trifling with her; She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

    [ Syn: dally , trifle ]

  15. 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'

  16. behave carelessly or indifferently; Play about with a young girls affection

    [ Syn: dally , toy , flirt ]

  17. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack'

  18. perform on a stage or theater; She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar; I played in `A Christmas Carol

    [ Syn: act , roleplay , playact ]

  19. be performed or presented for public viewing; What's playing in the local movie theater?; `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years'

  20. 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

    [ Syn: bring , work , wreak , make for ]

  21. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; play water from a hose; The fountains played all day'

  22. make bets; Play the races; play the casinos in Trouville'

  23. play on an instrument; The band played all night long'

  24. stake on the outcome of an issue; I bet $100 on that new horse; She played all her money on the dark horse

    [ Syn: bet , wager ]

  25. shoot or hit in a particular manner; She played a good backhand last night'

  26. use or move; I had to play my queen'

  27. employ in a game or in a specific position; They played him on first base'

  28. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; Princeton plays Yale this weekend; Charlie likes to play Mary

    [ Syn: meet , encounter , take on ]

  29. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; play a hooked fish'

  30. 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 husbands master

    [ Syn: act , represent ]

  31. 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'

  32. replay (as a melody); Play it again, Sam; She played the third movement very beautifully

    [ Syn: spiel ]

  33. perform music on (a musical instrument); He plays the flute; Can you play on this old recorder?'

  34. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad

    [ Syn: act , act as ]

  35. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; The spotlights played on the politicians'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.