English Dictionary

PLAY

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does play mean? 

PLAY (noun)
  The noun PLAY has 17 senses:

1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stageplay

2. a theatrical performance of a dramaplay

3. a preset plan of action in team sportsplay

4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skillplay

5. a state in which action is feasibleplay

6. utilization or exerciseplay

7. an attempt to get somethingplay

8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rulesplay

9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceedsplay

10. the removal of constraintsplay

11. a weak and tremulous lightplay

12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)play

13. movement or space for movementplay

14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusementplay

15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed successionplay

16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)play

17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfullyplay

  Familiarity information: PLAY used as a noun is very familiar.


PLAY (verb)
  The verb PLAY has 35 senses:

1. participate in games or sportplay

2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcomeplay

3. play on an instrumentplay

4. play a role or partplay

5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of childrenplay

6. replay (as a melody)play

7. perform music on (a musical instrument)play

8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mindplay

9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularlyplay

10. bet or wager (money)play

11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversionplay

12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activityplay

13. emit recorded soundplay

14. perform on a certain locationplay

15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card gameplay

16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriouslyplay

17. behave in a certain wayplay

18. cause to emit recorded audio or videoplay

19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imaginationplay

20. use to one's advantageplay

21. consider not very seriouslyplay

22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific wayplay

23. behave carelessly or indifferentlyplay

24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded spaceplay

25. perform on a stage or theaterplay

26. be performed or presented for public viewingplay

27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequenceplay

28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous streamplay

29. make betsplay

30. stake on the outcome of an issueplay

31. shoot or hit in a particular mannerplay

32. use or moveplay

33. employ in a game or in a specific positionplay

34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battleplay

35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the lineplay

  Familiarity information: PLAY used as a verb is very familiar.


 Dictionary entry details 


PLAY (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

drama; dramatic play; play

Context example:

he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

dramatic composition; dramatic work (a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.)

Meronyms (parts of "play"):

stage direction (an instruction written as part of the script of a play)

act (a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet)

Domain category:

drama (the literary genre of works intended for the theater)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

Grand Guignol (a play of a macabre or horrific nature)

theater of the absurd (plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless)

playlet (a short play)

miracle play (a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr)

morality play (an allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries; characters personified virtues and vices)

mystery play (a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ)

Passion play (a play representing the Passion of Christ)

satyr play (an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs)

Derivation:

play (perform on a certain location)

play (be performed or presented for public viewing)

play (play a role or part)

play (perform on a stage or theater)

playlet (a short play)


Sense 2

Meaning:

A theatrical performance of a drama

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the play lasted two hours

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

show (a social event involving a public performance or entertainment)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

musical; musical comedy; musical theater (a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing)

curtain raiser (a short play presented before the main play)

Derivation:

play (perform on a certain location)

playlet (a short play)

play (perform on a stage or theater)

play (play a role or part)

play (be performed or presented for public viewing)


Sense 3

Meaning:

A preset plan of action in team sports

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the coach drew up the plays for her team

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

plan of action (a plan for actively doing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

knock on ((rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul))

power play ((ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties)

football play ((American football) a play by the offensive team)

razmataz; razzle; razzle-dazzle; razzmatazz (any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent)

basketball play (a play executed by a basketball team)

Derivation:

play (participate in games or sport)

play (employ in a game or in a specific position)

play (use or move)


Sense 4

Meaning:

A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

maneuver; manoeuvre; play

Context example:

the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

motion; move; movement (the act of changing location from one place to another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

takeaway (the act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass))

figure (a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating)

completion; pass completion ((American football) a successful forward pass in football)

ball hawking (a skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing team)

assist ((sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play)

icing; icing the puck ((ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goal)

jugglery (the performance of a juggler)

obstruction (getting in someone's way)

baseball play ((baseball) a play executed by a baseball team)

footwork (the manner of using the feet)

shot; stroke ((sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand)

blitz; linebacker blitzing; safety blitz ((American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line)

mousetrap; trap play ((American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated)

Holonyms ("play" is a part of...):

athletic game (a game involving athletic activity)

Derivation:

play (shoot or hit in a particular manner)

play (use to one's advantage)


Sense 5

Meaning:

A state in which action is feasible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

insiders said the company's stock was in play

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

action; activeness; activity (the state of being active)

Derivation:

play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)


Sense 6

Meaning:

Utilization or exercise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the play of the imagination

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

employment; exercise; usage; use; utilisation; utilization (the act of using)

Derivation:

play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)


Sense 7

Meaning:

An attempt to get something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

bid; play

Context example:

he made a bid to gain attention

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)


Sense 8

Meaning:

Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

child's play; play

Context example:

Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

house (play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults)

doctor (children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office)

fireman (play in which children pretend to put out a fire)

Derivation:

play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)


Sense 9

Meaning:

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Synonyms:

period of play; play; playing period

Context example:

rain stopped play in the 4th inning

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

amount; measure; quantity (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

Meronyms (parts of "play"):

chukka; chukker ((polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is divided)

frame; inning ((baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat)

bout; round; turn ((sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive)

first period (the first division into which the play of a game is divided)

second period (the second division into which the play of a game is divided)

final period (the final division into which the play of a game is divided)

half (one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval)

period ((ice hockey) one of three divisions into which play is divided in hockey games)

quarter ((football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games are divided)

over ((cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch)

Domain category:

game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

golf hole; hole (one playing period (from tee to green) on a golf course)

set (a unit of play in tennis or squash)

Holonyms ("play" is a part of...):

athletic game (a game involving athletic activity)

Derivation:

play (participate in games or sport)

play (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)


Sense 10

Meaning:

The removal of constraints

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

free rein; play

Context example:

they gave full play to the artist's talent

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

freedom (the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints)


Sense 11

Meaning:

A weak and tremulous light

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

play; shimmer

Context example:

the play of light on the water

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

alteration; change; modification (an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another)

Derivation:

play (move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly)


Sense 12

Meaning:

Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

fun; play; sport

Context example:

he said it in sport

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

humor; humour; wit; witticism; wittiness (a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

jocosity; jocularity (fun characterized by humor)

waggery; waggishness (waggish behavior)

clowning; comedy; drollery; funniness (a comic incident or series of incidents)

paronomasia; pun; punning; wordplay (a humorous play on words)


Sense 13

Meaning:

Movement or space for movement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

looseness; play

Context example:

there was too much play in the steering wheel

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

movability; movableness (the quality of being movable; capable of being moved or rearranged)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

wiggliness (a jerky back and forth kind of mobility)

slack; slackness (the quality of being loose (not taut))

Derivation:

play (cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space)


Sense 14

Meaning:

Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

caper; frolic; gambol; play; romp

Context example:

their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

coquetry; dalliance; flirt; flirtation; flirting; toying (playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest)

craziness; folly; foolery; indulgence; lunacy; tomfoolery (foolish or senseless behavior)

game (frivolous or trifling behavior)

horseplay (rowdy or boisterous play)

teasing (playful vexation)

word play (playing on words or speech sounds)

Derivation:

play (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion)

play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)


Sense 15

Meaning:

(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

play; turn

Context example:

it is still my play

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Domain category:

game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

move ((game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game)

start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))

innings (the batting turn of a cricket player or team)

attack (an offensive move in a sport or game)

down ((American football) a complete play to advance the football)

at-bat; bat ((baseball) a turn trying to get a hit)

lead (the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge)

ruff; trumping ((card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit)

trick ((card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner)


Sense 16

Meaning:

The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

gambling; gaming; play

Context example:

there was heavy play at the blackjack table

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)

vice (a specific form of evildoing)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

sporting life (active interest in gambling on sports events)

bet; wager (the act of gambling)

gambling game; game of chance (a game that involves gambling)

throw (casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly)

Derivation:

play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)

play (bet or wager (money))

play (make bets)

play (stake on the outcome of an issue)


Sense 17

Meaning:

The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

play; swordplay

Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):

action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):

fencing (the art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules))


PLAY (verb)

 Conjugation: 
Present simple: I / you / we / they play  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation ... he / she / it plays  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past simple: played  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past participle: played  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
-ing form: playing  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation


Sense 1

Meaning:

Participate in games or sport

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

compete; contend; vie (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)

Verb group:

encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

line up (take one's position before a kick-off)

curl (play the Scottish game of curling)

snooker (leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot)

revoke (fail to follow suit when able and required to do so)

develop (move into a strategically more advantageous position)

develop (move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions)

die (to be on base at the end of an inning, of a player)

misplay (play wrong or in an unskillful manner)

start (play in the starting lineup)

fumble (drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder)

volley (make a volley)

unblock (play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holding)

replay (play again)

cricket (play cricket)

backstop (act as a backstop)

fullback (play the fullback)

quarterback (play the quarterback)

cradle (run with the stick)

exit (lose the lead)

play out (play to a finish)

field (play as a fielder)

catch (be the catcher)

bully off; face off (start a game by a face-off)

tee off (strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a hole)

ace (play (a hole) in one stroke)

complete; nail (complete a pass)

gamble (play games for money)

walk (give a base on balls to)

bowl (engage in the sport of bowling)

golf (play golf)

bandy (toss or strike a ball back and forth)

foul (commit a foul; break the rules)

put out (retire)

croquet (play a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops)

putt (hit a putt)

seesaw; teeter-totter; teetertotter (ride on a plank)

bid; call (make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Also:

play out (play to a finish)

Derivation:

play (a preset plan of action in team sports)

play ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)

player (a person who participates in or is skilled at some game)

playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

I played no role in your dismissal

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

play (behave in a certain way)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

play (utilization or exercise)

play (a state in which action is feasible)


Sense 3

Meaning:

Play on an instrument

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

The band played all night long

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

perform (give a performance (of something))

Verb group:

play; spiel (replay (as a melody))

play (perform music on (a musical instrument))

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

sound off; strike up (start playing)

swing (play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm)

symphonise; symphonize (play or sound together, in harmony)

accompany; follow; play along (perform an accompaniment to)

bow (play on a stringed instrument with a bow)

busk (play music in a public place and solicit money for it)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue play

Derivation:

player (someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession))

playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)


Sense 4

Meaning:

Play a role or part

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

act; play; represent

Context example:

She played the servant to her husband's master

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

re-create (create anew)

Verb group:

act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)

act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)

play (pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity)

Domain category:

performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

make; make believe; pretend (represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like)

support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))

act out; enact; reenact (act out; represent or perform as if in a play)

act out (represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage)

impersonate; portray (assume or act the character of)

parody (make a spoof of or make fun of)

emote (give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)

play (a theatrical performance of a drama)

player (a theatrical performer)

playing (the performance of a part or role in a drama)


Sense 5

Meaning:

Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

I used to play with trucks as a little girl

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act (be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure)

Verb group:

play; recreate (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

roughhouse (engage in rough or disorderly play)

arse around; fool; fool around; horse around (indulge in horseplay)

cavort; disport; frisk; frolic; gambol; lark; lark about; rollick; romp; run around; skylark; sport (play boisterously)

dabble; paddle; splash around (play in or as if in water, as of small children)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

play (activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules)

play (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)

playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)


Sense 6

Meaning:

Replay (as a melody)

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

play; spiel

Context example:

She played the third movement very beautifully

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

re-create (create anew)

Verb group:

play (play on an instrument)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

riff (play riffs)

misplay (play incorrectly, e.g., play a wrong note)

fiddle (play on a violin)

replay (play (a melody) again)

prelude (play as a prelude)

jazz (play something in the style of jazz)

rag (play in ragtime)

bugle (play on a bugle)

recapitulate; repeat; reprise; reprize (repeat an earlier theme of a composition)

slur (play smoothly or legato)

bang out (play loudly)

modulate (change the key of, in music)

tongue (articulate by tonguing, as when playing wind instruments)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They will play the duet

Derivation:

playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)


Sense 7

Meaning:

Perform music on (a musical instrument)

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Can you play on this old recorder?

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

sound (cause to sound)

Verb group:

play (play on an instrument)

Domain category:

music (musical activity (singing or whistling etc.))

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

register (manipulate the registers of an organ)

skirl (play the bagpipes)

beat (produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly)

tweedle (play negligently on a musical instrument)

chord (play chords on (a stringed instrument))

pipe (play on a pipe)

drum (play a percussion instrument)

harp (play the harp)

fiddle (play the violin or fiddle)

trumpet (play or blow on the trumpet)

clarion (blow the clarion)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)


Sense 8

Meaning:

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

act; act as; play

Context example:

She plays deaf when the news are bad

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)

Verb group:

act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody


Sense 9

Meaning:

Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

The spotlights played on the politicians

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

play (a weak and tremulous light)


Sense 10

Meaning:

Bet or wager (money)

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

She plays the races

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

gamble (play games for money)

Verb group:

play (make bets)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

underplay (play a card lower than (a held high card))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize))


Sense 11

Meaning:

Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

play; recreate

Context example:

The students all recreate alike

Verb group:

play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

play (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)

playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)


Sense 12

Meaning:

Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Play cowboy and Indians

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

assume; feign; sham; simulate (make a pretence of)

Verb group:

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Sense 13

Meaning:

Emit recorded sound

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

sound (give off a certain sound or sounds)

Verb group:

play; run (cause to emit recorded audio or video)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something ----s something


Sense 14

Meaning:

Perform on a certain location

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

She has been playing on Broadway for years

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

perform (give a performance (of something))

Verb group:

act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)

Domain category:

performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)

play (a theatrical performance of a drama)


Sense 15

Meaning:

Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

deploy (place troops or weapons in battle formation)

Verb group:

play (employ in a game or in a specific position)

play (use or move)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

pitch (lead (a card) and establish the trump suit)

cover (play a higher card than the one previously played)

declare (designate (a trump suit or no-trump) with the final bid of a hand)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize))


Sense 16

Meaning:

Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

play; toy

Context example:

toy with an idea

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)


Sense 17

Meaning:

Behave in a certain way

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

play fair

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s Adjective


Sense 18

Meaning:

Cause to emit recorded audio or video

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

play; run

Context example:

He never tires of playing that video

Verb group:

run (cause to perform)

play (emit recorded sound)

execute; run (carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue play the movie


Sense 19

Meaning:

Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

diddle; fiddle; play; toy

Context example:

He played with the idea of running for the Senate

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

manipulate (hold something in one's hands and move it)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

put out; retire (cause to be out on a fielding play)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP


Sense 20

Meaning:

Use to one's advantage

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Context example:

She plays on her clients' emotions

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

exploit; work (use or manipulate to one's advantage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill)


Sense 21

Meaning:

Consider not very seriously

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

dally; play; trifle

Context example:

She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

consider; deal; look at; take (take into consideration for exemplifying purposes)

Verb group:

dally; flirt; play; toy (behave carelessly or indifferently)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

Sam wants to play with Sue


Sense 22

Meaning:

Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s


Sense 23

Meaning:

Behave carelessly or indifferently

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

dally; flirt; play; toy

Context example:

Play about with a young girl's affection

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

dally; play; trifle (consider not very seriously)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP


Sense 24

Meaning:

Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

displace; move (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

play (movement or space for movement)


Sense 25

Meaning:

Perform on a stage or theater

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

act; play; playact; roleplay

Context example:

I played in 'A Christmas Carol'

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

perform (give a performance (of something))

Verb group:

play (perform on a certain location)

play (be performed or presented for public viewing)

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

act (be suitable for theatrical performance)

Domain category:

dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

stooge (act as the stooge)

mime; pantomime (act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only)

ham; ham it up; overact; overplay (exaggerate one's acting)

underact; underplay (act (a role) with great restraint)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)

playing (the performance of a part or role in a drama)

player (a theatrical performer)

play (a theatrical performance of a drama)


Sense 26

Meaning:

Be performed or presented for public viewing

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years

Verb group:

act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)

Domain category:

performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

debut (appear for the first time in public)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)

play (a theatrical performance of a drama)


Sense 27

Meaning:

Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

bring; make for; play; work; wreak

Context example:

The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Verb group:

act; work (have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something


Sense 28

Meaning:

Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

The fountains played all day

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

discharge (pour forth or release)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something


Sense 29

Meaning:

Make bets

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

play the casinos in Trouville

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

bet; play; wager (stake on the outcome of an issue)

Verb group:

play (bet or wager (money))

bet; play; wager (stake on the outcome of an issue)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize))


Sense 30

Meaning:

Stake on the outcome of an issue

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

bet; play; wager

Context example:

She played all her money on the dark horse

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

gamble (play games for money)

Verb group:

play (make bets)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

back; bet on; gage; game; punt; stake (place a bet on)

play (make bets)

raise (bet more than the previous player)

see (match or meet)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize))


Sense 31

Meaning:

Shoot or hit in a particular manner

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

She played a good backhand last night

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

hit (cause to move by striking)

Verb group:

encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

hook (secure with the foot)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill)


Sense 32

Meaning:

Use or move

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

I had to play my queen

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)

Verb group:

encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)

play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

promote (change a pawn for a better piece by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it to the row closest to your opponent)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

play (a preset plan of action in team sports)


Sense 33

Meaning:

Employ in a game or in a specific position

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

They played him on first base

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)

Verb group:

encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)

play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

play (a preset plan of action in team sports)


Sense 34

Meaning:

Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

encounter; meet; play; take on

Context example:

Charlie likes to play Mary

"Play" entails doing...:

compete; contend; vie (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)

Verb group:

play (participate in games or sport)

play (employ in a game or in a specific position)

play (use or move)

play (shoot or hit in a particular manner)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):

confront; face (oppose, as in hostility or a competition)

replay (repeat a game against the same opponent)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue play
Sam cannot play Sue

Derivation:

play ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)

playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)


Sense 35

Meaning:

Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

play a hooked fish

Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):

beat; exhaust; tucker; tucker out; wash up (wear out completely)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something


 Context examples 


The allele is thought to play a role in cellular defense and aberrations are thought to play a role in tumor multidrug resistance.

(ABCG2 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

So that was the way. No fair play. Once down, that was the end of you.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

"What can you do? Can you play on the piano?" A little.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

This gene plays a role in xenobiotic transport and multi-drug resistance.

(ABCG2 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

This gene plays a role in signal transduction and negative regulation of cell proliferation.

(ABL1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

I have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to change it for a play, and with you.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

This gene may play a role in hepatocyte growth.

(ABTB2 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

This gene plays a role in signal transduction.

(ABL2 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

This gene plays a role in ATP catabolism.

(ABCF2 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

You must play your cards as best you can when such a stake is on the table.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Life's a bitch and then you die." (English proverb)

"If a man is to do something more than human, he must have more than human powers." (Native American proverb, tribe unknown)

"Whoever works, he will eat." (Armenian proverb)

"The blacksmith's horse has no horseshoes." (Czech proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


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