First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1play
noun \ˈplā\
Definition of PLAY
1
a : swordplay b archaic : game, sport c : the conduct, course, or action of a game d : a particular act or maneuver in a game: as (1) : the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football (2) : the action in which a player is put out in baseball e : the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game f : the moving of a piece in a board game (as chess) g : one's turn in a game <it's your play>
2
a obsolete : sexual intercourse b : amorous flirtation : dalliance
3
4
a (1) : an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver <that was a play to get your fingerprints — Erle Stanley Gardner> (2) : deal, venture b (1) : the state of being active, operative, or relevant <other motives surely come into play — M. R. Cohen> <several issues are at play> (2) : brisk, fitful, or light movement <the gem presented a dazzling play of colors> (3) : free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine); also : the length or measure of such motion (4) : scope or opportunity for action (5) : a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play
5
: emphasis or publicity especially in the news media <wished the country received a better play in the American press — Hugh MacLennan>
6
: a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings —usually used with make <made a big play for the girl — Will Herman>
7
a : the stage representation of an action or story b : a dramatic composition : drama
— in play
: in condition or position to be legitimately played
— out of play
: not in play
See play defined for English-language learners
See play defined for kids
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Origin of PLAY
Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen
Related to PLAY
- Synonyms
- dalliance, frolic, frolicking, fun, fun and games, recreation, relaxation, rollicking, sport
- Antonyms
- earnest
Synonym Discussion of PLAY
fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose <played cards just for fun>. jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing <hurt by remarks said only in jest>. sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone <teasing begun in sport led to anger>. game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun <made game of their poor relations>. play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief <pretended to strangle his brother in play>.
Rhymes with PLAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2play
verb
: to do activities for fun or enjoyment
: to participate in (a game or sport)
: to compete against (someone) in a game
Full Definition of PLAY
intransitive verb
1
a : to engage in sport or recreation : frolic b : to have sexual relations; especially : to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations —usually used in the phrase play around c (1) : to move aimlessly about : trifle (2) : to toy or fiddle around with something <played with her food> (3) : to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest (4) : to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner (5) : to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
2
3
a (1) : to perform music <play on a violin> (2) : to sound in performance <the organ is playing> (3) : to emit sounds <the radio is playing> (4) : to reproduce recorded sounds <a record is playing> b (1) : to act in a dramatic production (2) : show, run <what's playing at the theater> c : to be suitable for dramatic performance d : to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy <might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends — V. L. Parrington> —often used in the phrase play up to e : to produce a specified impression in performance <a movie that plays like a sitcom>
4
a : to engage or take part in a game b : to perform in a position in a specified manner <the outfielders were playing deep> c : to perform an action during one's turn in a game d : gamble e (1) : to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way <play safe> (2) : to feign a specified state or quality <play dead> (3) : to take part in or assent to some activity : cooperate <play along with his scheme> (4) : to act so as to prove advantageous to another —usually used in the phrase play into the hands of
5
: to gain approval : go over <her idea did not play well>
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to engage in or occupy oneself with <play baseball> (2) : to engage in (an activity) as a game (3) : to deal with, handle, or manage (4) : exploit, manipulate b : to pretend to engage in the activities of <play war> <children playing house> c (1) : to amount to by one's efforts <played an important role in their success> (2) : to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock <play a trick> (3) : wreak <play havoc> (4) : to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy <play the national security card>
2
a (1) : to put on a performance of (a play) (2) : to act in the character or part of (3) : to act or perform in <played leading theaters> b : to perform or act the part of <play the fool>
3
a (1) : to contend against in or as if in a game (2) : to use as a contestant in a game <the coach did not play him> (3) : to perform the duties associated with (a certain position) <played quarterback> (4) : to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner b (1) : to wager in a game : stake (2) : to make wagers on <play the races> (3) : to speculate on or in <play the stock market> (4) : to operate on the basis of <play a hunch> c : to put into action in a game; especially : to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick d : to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field <played the ball bare-handed> e : to direct the course of (as a ball) : hit <played a wedge shot to the green>; also : to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound <played the ball off the backboard>
4
a : to perform (music) on an instrument <play a waltz> b : to perform music on <play the violin> c : to perform music of (a certain composer) d (1) : to cause (as a radio or phonograph) to emit sounds (2) : to cause the recorded sound or image of (as a record or a magnetic tape) to be reproduced
5
a : wield, ply b : to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect <played the hose on the burning building> c : to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently d : to keep (a hooked fish) in action
— play·abil·i·ty \ˌplā-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— play·able \ˈplā-ə-bəl\ adjective
— play ball
— play both ends against the middle
: to set opposing interests against each other to one's own ultimate profit
— play by ear
: to deal with something without previous planning or instructions
— play games
: to try to hide the truth from someone by deceptive means
— play one's cards
: to act with the means available to one
— play possum
: to pretend to be asleep or dead
— play second fiddle
: to take a subordinate position
— play the field
: to date or have romantic connections with more than one person
— play the game
: to act according to a code or set of standards
— play with a full deck
: to be rational or sane
— play with fire
: to do something risky or dangerous
— play with oneself
See play defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PLAY
before 12th century
PLAY Defined for Kids
1play
verb \ˈplā\
playedplay·ing
Definition of PLAY for Kids
1
: to do activities for enjoyment
2
: to take part in a game of <play cards>
3
: to compete against in a game <We are playing the Dodgers today.>
4
: to produce music or sound with <play the piano> <play a CD>
5
: to perform the music of <He played my favorite tune.>
6
: to act or present on the stage or screen <She was chosen to play Annie.> <What's playing at the movies?>
7
: pretend 1 <Let's play school.> <The dog played dead.>
8
: to perform (as a trick) for fun
10
: to handle something idly : toy <Don't play with your food!>
11
: to affect something by performing a function <Luck played a part in their winning.>
12
: to move swiftly or lightly <Leaves played in the wind.>
2play
noun
Definition of PLAY for Kids
1
: a story performed on stage
2
: the action of or a particular action in a game <That was a great play by the shortstop.>
3
: exercise or activity for enjoyment <children at play>
4
: a person's turn to take part in a game <It's your play.>
5
: quick or light movement <We felt the light play of a breeze through the room.>
6
: freedom of motion <There is too much play in the steering wheel.>
7
: a way of acting : conduct <fair play>
8
: the state of being active <Now she would have to call into play all of her climbing ability … — Brian Jacques, Redwall>
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