Noun
-
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
-
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
"his gambling cost him a fortune"
"there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
-
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
"it is my turn"
"it is still my play"
-
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
"it was all done in play"
"their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"
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movement or space for movement
"there was too much play in the steering wheel"
-
verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
"he became a figure of fun"
"he said it in sport"
-
a weak and tremulous light
"the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"
"the play of light on the water"
-
the removal of constraints
"he gave free rein to his impulses"
"they gave full play to the artist's talent"
- free rein -
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
- playing period - period of play -
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
- child's play -
an attempt to get something
"they made a futile play for power"
"he made a bid to gain attention"
-
utilization or exercise
"the play of the imagination"
-
a state in which action is feasible
"the ball was still in play"
"insiders said the company's stock was in play"
-
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
"he made a great maneuver"
"the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
-
a preset plan of action in team sports
"the coach drew up the plays for her team"
-
a theatrical performance of a drama
"the play lasted two hours"
-
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
- dramatic play
Verb
-
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
"play a hooked fish"
-
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
"Princeton plays Yale this weekend"
"Charlie likes to play Mary"
- take on -
employ in a game or in a specific position
"They played him on first base"
-
use or move
"I had to play my queen"
-
shoot or hit in a particular manner
"She played a good backhand last night"
-
stake on the outcome of an issue
"I bet $100 on that new horse"
"She played all her money on the dark horse"
-
make bets
"Play the races"
"play the casinos in Trouville"
-
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
"play water from a hose"
"The fountains played all day"
-
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
"I cannot work a miracle"
"wreak havoc"
"bring comments"
"play a joke"
"The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
- make for -
be performed or presented for public viewing
"What's playing in the local movie theater?"
"`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
-
perform on a stage or theater
"She acts in this play"
"He acted in `Julius Caesar'"
"I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
- roleplay -
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
-
behave carelessly or indifferently
"Play about with a young girl's affection"
-
be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
"This speech didn't play well with the American public"
"His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
-
consider not very seriously
"He is trifling with her"
"She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
-
use to one's advantage
"She plays on her clients' emotions"
-
manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
"She played nervously with her wedding ring"
"Don't fiddle with the screws"
"He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
-
cause to emit recorded audio or video
"They ran the tapes over and over again"
"I'll play you my favorite record"
"He never tires of playing that video"
-
behave in a certain way
"play safe"
"play it safe"
"play fair"
-
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
"They played games on their opponents"
"play the stock market"
"play with her feelings"
"toy with an idea"
-
put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
"He is playing his cards close to his chest"
"The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
-
perform on a certain location
"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"
"She has been playing on Broadway for years"
-
emit recorded sound
"The tape was playing for hours"
"the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
-
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
"Let's play like I am mommy"
"Play cowboy and Indians"
-
engage in recreational activities rather than work
occupy oneself in a diversion
"On weekends I play"
"The students all recreate alike"
-
bet or wager (money)
"He played $20 on the new horse"
"She plays the races"
-
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
"The spotlights played on the politicians"
-
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
"He acted the idiot"
"She plays deaf when the news are bad"
- act as -
perform music on (a musical instrument)
"He plays the flute"
"Can you play on this old recorder?"
-
replay (as a melody)
"Play it again, Sam"
"She played the third movement very beautifully"
-
be at play
be engaged in playful activity
amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
"The kids were playing outside all day"
"I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
-
play a role or part
"Gielgud played Hamlet"
"She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"
"She played the servant to her husband's master"
-
play on an instrument
"The band played all night long"
-
act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
"This factor played only a minor part in his decision"
"This development played into her hands"
"I played no role in your dismissal"
-
participate in games or sport
"We played hockey all afternoon"
"play cards"
"Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"