Word.ws English Dictionary

play

/pleɪ̯/ [pɫ̥eɪ̯ ~ pʰɫeɪ̯]

More pronunciations (1)Fewer pronunciations

South Asia/ple(j)/

play verb: to act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

play: to act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of...
Image: Mohamed Hozyen Ahmed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verb

play (third-person singular simple present plays, present participle playing, simple past and past participle played)

  1. (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
    • The children played in the park.
    • A youngster[…]listed some of the things his pet did not do:[…]go on vacation, play in the same way that he did with his friends, and so on.2001, Annabelle Sabloff, Reordering the Natural World, Univ. of Toronto Press, page 83
  2. (especially, intransitive, see also play with) To toy or trifle; to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to be careless.
    • Don't play with your food!
    • He's just playing with her affections.
  3. (intransitive, transitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
    • He plays on three teams.
    • Who's playing now?
    1. (intransitive, transitive) Specifying a particular sporting role or position.
      • He plays left back for Mudchester Rovers
    2. (intransitive, transitive) To compete against, in a game.
      • We're playing one of the top teams in the next round.
      • England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport
    3. (intransitive, transitive) To be the opposing score to.
      • Look at the score now ... 23 plays 8!
  4. (intransitive) To contend or fight using weapons, both as practice or in real life-or-death combats; to engage in martial games; to joust; to fence
  5. (copulative, intransitive) To act or behave in a stated way.
    • to play safe, to play fair, to play dirty
    • His mother played false with a smith.c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
    1. (copulative, intransitive) To give a false appearance of being; to pretend to be.
      • He plays dumb, but actually he's very clever.
      • Don't play the innocent with us.
  6. (transitive) To act as (the indicated role).
    • Stop playing the fool.
    • No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory.
    1. (transitive) To portray (a character) in (a film or theatre).
      • Who played Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind'?
      • Mister Friel plays Virgil to the narrator's Dante, finding him an apartment, bringing him to the right parties and offering the last word on gay New York.1983 December 3, Michael Wilson, “The Same Story Embellished”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 20, page 12
  7. (especially, intransitive, transitive) To produce music using a musical instrument.
    • I'll play the piano and you sing.
    • Can you play an instrument?
    Synonyms:
    cook, jam, put on
  8. (intransitive, transitive) To produce music.
    • This piano plays out of tune.
    • If your guitar plays well on fretted strings but annoys you on the open ones, the nut's probably worn out.2007, Dan Erlewine, Guitar Player Repair Guide, →ISBN, page 220
  9. (intransitive, transitive) To operate (a device or media) so as to cause sound (especially music) or moving pictures to be produced.
    • You can play the DVD now.
    • Don't play your radio so loud!
  10. (intransitive, transitive, usually) To render (a musical title, compositional style, film title, etc.) using a musical instrument or device.
    • Do you know how to play Für Elise on the piano?
    • We especially like to play jazz together.
  11. (intransitive, transitive, usually, broadcast) To emit or relay sound (especially music) or moving pictures; (of a device) to operate media.
    • The juke box is playing our favourite song.
    • The radio was playing in the background.
  12. (intransitive, transitive) To be performed, reproduced, or shown.
    • His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow.
    • Some kind of lounge music was playing in the background.
Show 15 more meaningsShow fewer meanings
  1. (intransitive, transitive, usually) To perform or give performances in or at (a venue or location).
    • The band is playing large arenas nationwide.
    • I got a hold of Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong's agent and I explained to him on the phone that, "I know you're playing London on Wednesday night. Why don't you come and play the Arena in Windsor on Saturday night?"2008, My Life: From Normandy to Hockeytown, →ISBN, page 30
  2. (intransitive, transitive) To act or perform (a play).
    • to play a comedy
  3. (intransitive, transitive) To move in a light or brisk manner.
    • The fountain plays.
    • The leaves played in the wind.
  4. (intransitive, transitive) To move so as to fall upon or sweep across something, or to direct or operate (something) in such a manner.
    • The torch beam played around the room.
    • They played the jet of water onto the seat of the fire.
  5. (intransitive, transitive) To move in an alternating or reciprocal manner; to move to and fro.
    • the waving sedges play with windc. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
    • The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs play.1705, George Cheyne, Philosophical Principles of Religion
  6. (transitive) To bring into action or motion; to exhibit in action; to execute or deploy.
    • That was a great shot he played!
    • He played the blue ball, but the green would have been a better choice.
  7. (transitive) To handle or deal with (a matter or situation) in a stated way.
    • The bank robbers have three hostages inside, so we're going to have to play this very carefully.
  8. (transitive) To handle or deal with (something) in a calculating manner intended to achieve profit or gain.
    • He made a fortune on Wall Street, playing the markets.
    • In this business you have to play the percentages.
  9. (intransitive) To be received or accepted (in a given way); to go down.
    • This policy plays well with younger voters.
    • How will this play in the swing states?
  10. To gamble.
    • “I play, comparatively, very little; I don't drink a fifth part so much as half the people I live with; and I reckon myself, upon the whole, a very orderly, sober fellow.”1791, Charlotte Smith, Celestina, Broadview, published 2004, page 407
  11. (transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.
  12. (colloquial, transitive) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle.
    • You played me!
    • If this our song, you're the composer / I'm not a game, but you play me anyway2020, “Ballad Of You & I”, performed by Hotel Lux
    Synonyms:
    defraud
  13. (intransitive, African-American Vernacular) To kid; to joke; to say something for amusement; to act, or to treat something, unseriously.
    • They don't play with the rules around here.
    • He grew serious. “Sorry, E.M. Just fucking around.”
      “Well, I don’t play like that and you know it.”2016, T. Styles, “seventeen”, in Clown Niggas, United States of America: The Cartel Publications, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 161
  14. (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love; see also play around.
    • Her proper face / I not descerned in that darkesome shade, / But weend it was my loue, with whom he playd.1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC
    • Cheree, Cheree / Je t'adore, baby / I love you / Oh, come play with me1977, “Cheree”, in Suicide, performed by Suicide
  15. For additional senses in various idiomatic phrases, see the individual entries, such as play along, play at, play down, play off, play on, play out, play to, play up, etc.

Noun

play (countable and uncountable, plural plays)

  1. (uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
    • Children learn through play.
    • She was fond of all boys' plays, and greatly preferred cricket […] to dolls […]1803 (date written), [Jane Austen], Northanger Abbey; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817...
  2. (uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
    • This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills.
  3. (uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.
    • Play was very slow in the first half.
    • After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock.
  4. (also, figuratively, uncountable) The sphere or circumstance in which a playing implement, such as a ball, is played or available to be played (see also in play, out of play).
    • In potting the yellow ball, he's knocked the green into play.
    • When a chess piece is captured, it is removed from play.
  5. (uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
    • His play has improved a lot this season.
  6. (countable) A short sequence of action within a game.
    • That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward.
    1. (turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
      • AWARD is better than either WARED or WADER. However, there's an even better play! If you have looked at the two-to-make-three letter list, you may have noticed the word AWA.2009, Joe Edley, John Williams, Everything Scrabble: Third Edition, page 85
  7. (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
    • This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays.
    • That books and plays cannot be understood without knowledge of the historical circumstances and social conflicts of the time was known, long before Marx, to many French and other historians, some of whom were conservative in politics.1978 [1976], Leszek Kołakowski, translated by P[aul] S[teven] Falla, Main Currents of Marxism, volume I: The Founders, Oxford: Clarendon Press, translation of Główne nurty marksizmu: powstanie (in...
    Synonyms:
    drama, script
  8. (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
    • We saw a two-act play in the theatre.
    • My kids are acting in the school play this Christmas.
  9. (countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.
    • ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets.
    • Turpin signals the Metric Party's long-term play for housing reform
  10. (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
  11. (uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)
    • the play of light and shadow across the boy's face
    • the sum of mental and physical phenomena known by the conventional name “person” or “individual” is not at all the mere play of blind chance.1956, Nyanatiloka Mahåthera, Fundamentals of Buddhism Four Lectures
  12. (uncountable) Freedom to move.
    • give play to your imagination
    • The negro came up and Bond allowed his arms to be tied behind his back. They were good knots. There was no play in them. They hurt.1954, Ian Fleming, “'Good Night To You Both'”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 223
    1. The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.
      • No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it.
      • Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous.
Show 6 more meaningsShow fewer meanings
  1. (informal, uncountable) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
    • petplay
    • Sexy LF novice seeks seasoned top to spice up my play life. Teach me a lesson I won't forget.1990 December 9, “Butch In The Streets, Bottom Between The Sheets (personal advertisement)”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 21, page 17
  2. (countable) An instance of watching or listening to media.
    • That video of my cat falling off the piano has had ten thousand plays.
    • The most-streamed artist of the year was British singer Ed Sheeran, who amassed 860 million plays with hits like “I See Fire.”2014 December 3, Victor Luckerson, “These Were Spotify's Most-Streamed Songs This Year”, in Time, archived from the original on 02 Jun 2017
    Synonyms:
    view, listen
  3. An instance or instances of causing media to be watched or heard, such as by broadcasting.
    • Their single got a play on the radio.
    • The song got a lot of play in the clubs.
  4. (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
    • press play
  5. (countable) An instance of wordplay.
    • play on words
    • The name Wiktionary is a play on the words wiki and dictionary.
  6. (archaic, in-compounds, usually) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.
    • handplay, swordplay

Proper noun capitalized: PLAY

PLAY

  1. Dave & Buster's.
    • Dave and Buster’s (PLAY), the popular restaurant and entertainment chain, is getting into the betting business.2024 May 1, Nicole Goodkind, “Dave and Buster’s is getting into the betting business”, in CNN Business

play meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Urdu

play in Hindi

act in a manner such that one has fun
खेलना khelnā
(transitive) produce music using a musical instrument
बजाना bajānā
playful activity
खेल khel
theatrical performance
नाटक nāṭak

play in Tamil

act in a manner such that one has fun
விளையாடு viḷaiyāṭu
(transitive) produce music using a musical instrument
வாசி vāci

play in Marathi

act in a manner such that one has fun
खेळणे kheḷṇe

play in Urdu

act in a manner such that one has fun
کھیلنا khelnā
(transitive) produce music using a musical instrument
بجانا bajānā
playful activity
کھیل khel
theatrical performance
ناٹَک nāṭak
More languagesFewer languages
play in Bengali
অভিনয় করা obhinoẏ kora, খেলা khela, বাজানো bajanō, চালানো calanō
play in Telugu
ఆడు āḍu, నాటకం nāṭakaṁ
play in Malayalam
കളിപ്പിക്കുക kaḷippikkuka, കളിക്കുക kaḷikkuka, കളി kaḷi, നാടകം nāṭakaṁ
play in Kannada
ಆಡು āḍu, ಕ್ರೀಡಿಸು krīḍisu
play in Punjabi
کھیڈنا kheḍṇā, ਵਜਾਉਣਾ vajāuṇā, کھیڈ kheḍ
play in Gujarati
રમવું ramvũ, ક્રીડા krīḍā, નાટક nāṭak
play in Odia
ଖେଳିବା kheḷibā
play in Sanskrit
खेलति khelati, क्रीडति krīḍati, लीला līlā
play in Sinhala
නෙයියාඩම neyiyāḍama
play in Assamese
ভাওনা কৰা bhaüna kora, খেলা khela, বজোৱা bozüa, বোৱা büa
play in Nepali
खेल्नु khelnu
play in Pashto
لوبه کول loba kawəl, ږغول ģağawəl, لوبې کول lobe kawəl, لوبول lobawəl
play in Tagalog
maglaro, tumugtog, laro, dula
play in Arabic
مَثَّلَ maṯṯala, لَعِبَ laʕiba, عَزَفَ ʕazafa, لعب arz
play in Malay
bermain, main, panting, petik
play in Indonesian
bermain, memainkan, drama, main
play in Persian
بازی کردن bâzi kardan, زدن zadan, نواختن navâxtan, بَازِی bāzī
play in Thai
เล่น lên, การเล่น gaan-lên, ละคร lá-kɔɔn
play in Vietnamese
chơi, hạ, trò chơi, vở kịch
play in Myanmar
ကစား ka.ca:, ဆော့ hcau., ပြဇာတ် pra.jat, ဇာတ် jat
Kashmiri
گِنٛدُن gindun

Examples of play in a sentence

  • play football, play sports, play games
  • I've practiced the piano off and on, but I still can't play very well.
  • Play the audio clip to hear how the word is pronounced.
  • She keeps playing 'Achy Breaky Heart' over and over again on her stereo.
  • This DVD is scratched and won't play.
  • Channel 9 is playing that old comedy series again.

All 40 example sentences with play

Synonyms of play

30 more synonymsFewer synonyms

All synonyms of play

Forms of play

Verb
third-person singular presentplays
present participleplaying
past participleplayed
pastplayed
Noun
pluralplays

Past tense of play: played

Plural of play: plays

Origin of play

From Middle English pleyen (verb) and Middle English pleye (noun), from Old English plegian and plegan, plagian (“to play, exercise, etc.”), from Proto-West Germanic *plehan (“to care about, be concerned with”) and Proto-West Germanic *plegōn (“to engage, move”), of uncertain origin. cognates and related terms Cognate with Scots play (“to act or move briskly, cause to move, stir”), Saterland Frisian pleegje (“to look after, care for, maintain”), West Frisian pleegje, pliigje (“to commit, perform, bedrive”), Middle Dutch pleyen ("to dance, leap for joy, rejoice, be glad"; compare Modern Dutch pleien (“to play a particular children's game”)), Dutch plegen (“to commit, bedrive, practice”), German pflegen (“to care for, be concerned with, attend to, tend”). Related also to Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight, pledge. The noun is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, plega, plæġa (“play, quick motion, movement, exercise; (athletic) sport, game; festivity, drama; battle; gear for games, an implement for a game; clapping with the hands, applause”), deverbative of plegian (“to play”); see above.

Words formed from play

Phrases with play

169 more phrasesFewer phrases

Words that rhyme with play

48 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about play

What does play mean?
Play means to act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
What is play in Hindi?
Play in Hindi is खेलना (khelnā), बजाना (bajānā), खेल (khel). See Play meaning in Hindi.
How do you use play in a sentence?
play football, play sports, play games
What part of speech is play?
Play can be a verb, a noun or a proper noun.
How do you pronounce play?
Play is pronounced /pleɪ̯/ [pɫ̥eɪ̯ ~ pʰɫeɪ̯] (US).
What is the past tense of play?
The past tense of play is played.

Words near play in the dictionary

  1. Plautz
  2. Plautzes
  3. plaw
  4. plaws
  5. Plawsworth
  6. play
  7. play a double game
  8. play a part
  9. play a role
  10. play a rôle
  11. play about

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: play (page history and authors); PLAY (page history and authors); ಆಡು (Kannada) (page history and authors); کھیڈ (Punjabi) (page history and authors); ક્રીડા (Gujarati) (page history and authors); ଖେଳିବା (Odia) (page history and authors); නෙයියාඩම (Sinhala) (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated:

Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: en-us-play.ogg.

Cite this entry: “play.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/play. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.