play | |
1. v. (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment. | |
They played long and hard. | |
2. v. To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game). | |
He plays on three teams. Who's playing now? play football; play sports; play games | |
3. v. To compete against, in a game. | |
4. v. (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to. | |
Look at the score now ... 23 plays 8! | |
5. v. (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex. | |
6. v. To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance. | |
He plays the King, and she's the Queen. No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory. | |
7. v. (heading, transitive, intransitive) To produce music or theatre. | |
8. v. (intransitive, of a musical instrument) To produce music. | |
9. v. (intransitive, especially, of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument. | |
I've practiced the piano off and on, but I still can't play very well. | |
10. v. (transitive, especially, of a person) To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument). | |
I'll play the piano and you sing. Can you play an instrument? We especially like to play jazz together. Play a song for me.&ems | |
11. v. (transitive, ergative) To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording. | |
You can play the DVD now. | |
12. v. (intransitive, of a theatrical performance) To be performed; (or of a, film) to be shown. | |
His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow. | |
13. v. (transitive, of a theatrical company, or band, etc.) To perform in or at; to give performances in or at. | |
14. v. To act or perform (a play). | |
to play a comedy | |
15. v. To behave in a particular way.: | |
16. v. (copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being. | |
17. v. (intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. | |
18. v. (intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception. | |
19. v. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute. | |
to play tricks | |
20. v. (intransitive) To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate. | |
The fountain plays. | |
21. v. (intransitive) To move gaily; to disport. | |
22. v. To put in action or motion. | |
to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump in a card game | |
23. v. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it. | |
24. v. (transitive, colloquial) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone. | |
You played me! | |
25. n. (formerly ) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young. | |
26. n. Similar activity, in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills. | |
27. n. (ethology) "Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions ..., and initiated voluntarily when ... in a low-stress setting.". | |
28. n. The conduct, or course of a game. | |
29. n. An individual's performance in a sport or game. | |
30. n. (turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play. | |
31. n. A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue. | |
32. n. A theatrical performance featuring actors. | |
We saw a two-act play in the theatre. | |
33. n. A major move by a business. | |
34. n. A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources. | |
35. n. The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely. | |
No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it. | |
Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous. | |
36. n. (informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing. | |
37. n. (archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting. | |
handplay, swordplay | |