What is the meaning of play?

noun

• A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage.
  • usage: "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
  • synonyms: drama, dramatic play
• A theatrical performance of a drama.
  • usage: "the play lasted two hours"
• A preset plan of action in team sports.
  • usage: "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
• A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill.
  • usage: "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
  • synonyms: maneuver, manoeuvre
• A state in which action is feasible.
  • usage: "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
• Utilization or exercise.
  • usage: "the play of the imagination"
• An attempt to get something.
  • usage: "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
  • synonyms: bid
• Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules.
  • usage: "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
  • synonyms: child's play
• In games or plays or other performances. ( the time during which play proceeds)
  • usage: "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
  • synonyms: playing period, period of play
• The removal of constraints.
  • usage: "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
  • synonyms: free rein
• A weak and tremulous light.
  • usage: "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
  • synonyms: shimmer
• Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously. )
  • usage: "he became a figure of fun"; "he said it in sport"
  • synonyms: fun, sport
• Movement or space for movement.
  • usage: "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
  • synonyms: looseness
• Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement.
  • usage: "it was all done in play"; "their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"
  • synonyms: frolic, romp, gambol, caper
• Game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession. (
  • usage: "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
  • synonyms: turn
• The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize. )
  • usage: "his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
  • synonyms: gambling, gaming
• The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully.
  • synonyms: swordplay

verb

• Participate in games or sport.
  • usage: "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
• Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.
  • usage: "This factor played only a minor part in his decision"; "This development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"
• Play on an instrument.
  • usage: "The band played all night long"
• Play a role or part.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: act, represent
• Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children.
  • usage: "The kids were playing outside all day"; "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
• Replay (as a melody. )
  • usage: "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
  • synonyms: spiel
• Perform music on (a musical instrument. )
  • usage: "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder"
• Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.
  • usage: "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
  • synonyms: act, act as
• Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly.
  • usage: "The spotlights played on the politicians"
• Bet or wager (money. )
  • usage: "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
• Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion.
  • usage: "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
  • synonyms: recreate
• Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity.
  • usage: "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
• Emit recorded sound.
  • usage: "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
• Perform on a certain location.
  • usage: "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
• Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game.
  • usage: "He is playing his cards close to his chest"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
• Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously.
  • usage: "They played games on their opponents"; "play the stock market"; "play with her feelings"; "toy with an idea"
  • synonyms: toy
• Behave in a certain way.
  • usage: "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
• Cause to emit recorded audio or video.
  • usage: "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"
  • synonyms: run
• Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination.
  • usage: "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
  • synonyms: toy, fiddle, diddle
• Use to one's advantage.
  • usage: "She plays on her clients' emotions"
• Consider not very seriously.
  • usage: "He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
  • synonyms: dally, trifle
• Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way.
  • usage: "This speech didn't play well with the American public"; "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
• Behave carelessly or indifferently.
  • usage: "Play about with a young girl's affection"
  • synonyms: dally, toy, flirt
• Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space.
  • usage: "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
• Perform on a stage or theater.
  • usage: "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
  • synonyms: act, roleplay, playact
• Be performed or presented for public viewing.
  • usage: "What's playing in the local movie theater"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
• Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence.
  • usage: "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
  • synonyms: bring, work, wreak, make for
• Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream.
  • usage: "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
• Make bets.
  • usage: "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
• Stake on the outcome of an issue.
  • usage: "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
  • synonyms: bet, wager
• Shoot or hit in a particular manner.
  • usage: "She played a good backhand last night"
• Use or move.
  • usage: "I had to play my queen"
• Employ in a game or in a specific position.
  • usage: "They played him on first base"
• Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle.
  • usage: "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"
  • synonyms: meet, encounter, take on
• Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line.
  • usage: "play a hooked fish"