play
IPA: pɫˈeɪ
noun
- (uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
- (uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
- (uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.
- (uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
- (countable) A short sequence of action within a game.
- (countable, turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
- (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
- (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
- (countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.
- (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
- (uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)
- (uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.
- (uncountable, informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
- (countable) An instance of watching or listening to digital media.
- (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
- (archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.
verb
- (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
- (transitive, intransitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
- (transitive) To compete against, in a game.
- (transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.
- (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love.
- To gamble.
- (transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
- (multiple senses, transitive, intransitive) To produce music or theatre.
- (intransitive, of a music) To produce music.
- (intransitive, especially of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument.
- (transitive, especially of a person) To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).
- (transitive, ergative) To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
- (intransitive, of a theatrical performance) To be performed; (or of a film) to be shown.
- (transitive, of a theatrical company or band, etc.) To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.
- (transitive) To act or perform (a play).
- (multiple senses) To behave in a particular way.
- (copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.
- (intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
- (intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.
- (transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.
- (African-American Vernacular, intransitive) To kid; to joke; say something for amusement.
- (transitive, intransitive) To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
- (intransitive) To move to and fro.
- (transitive) To put in action or motion.
- (transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.
- (transitive, colloquial) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.
Examples of "play" in Sentences
- The students played card games.
- The man is playing sports gamely.
- He played the game with his posse.
- Humans are welcome to play the game.
- He was disqualified to play the game.
- It was the inaugural playing of the game.
- But the guy got to play the game in private.
- He was playing hide and seek with his friend.
- You will have more fun playing with the an imbecile kid.
- He plays the vagabond with his friends around the school.
- If it could play the piano, I am sure it would really _play_. "
- fwah! can only say duns play play~! later anyhow touch den chi-cha-booms~!
- *lites go down, flashy lites play on teh catwalk and tekno music begins to play*
- _ An 'when I wants ter play on' er _I'll play_, an 'when you wants' er, why, you teck
- BASSMOD_MusicPlay () play: = errorlevel if debug = 1 traytip,, debug: \% init\% | \% load\% | \% play\% sleep 5000; testing purposes
- We're getting together tonight to chat about what's next, and to play: with both last night and last week being less than productive musically, we want to *play*.
- It is by no means my intention to suggest that great writing is not desirable in the drama; but the point must be emphasised that it is not a necessary element in the immediate merit of a play _as a play_.
- A retreat from complexity isn't a sign of stupidity, sheeple-hood or lack of an e-peen: honestly, it's perhaps the core pleasure of play, a notion lost to some professionals and scholars who have managed to leach the *play* out of what they do.
- He made every profession of love and regard to me; and I verily believed him sincere; because I knew he had been obliged by a part of my family; but when I found a coach, a country-house, a good table, a wife, and servants, were all supported by the _chance_ of a gaming-table, I withdrew myself from all connections with him; for, I fear, he who lives to play, may _play_ to _live_.
- All decent human work partakes (let us thank the great reasonablenesses of real things!) of the quality of play: if it did not it would be bad or ever on the verge of badness; and if ever human activity attains to fullest fruitfulness, it will be (every experience of our own best work shows it) when the distinction of _work_ and of _play_ will cease to have a meaning, play remaining only as the preparatory work of the child, as the strength-repairing, balance-adjusting work of the adult.