What is "play" in English? Definition and Explanations

Updated: 30-04-2026 by Wikilanguages.net

What does play mean in English? Meaning of play definition and abbreviation with examples.

English	English

What is "play" in English? Definition and Explanations

Meaning of "play": a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Noun

Meaning: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Example: he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

Synonyms: drama dramatic play play

Hyponyms: grand guignol miracle play morality play mystery play passion play playlet satyr play theater of the absurd

Hypernyms: dramatic composition dramatic work

Part Holonyms: act stage direction

Meaning of "play": participate in games or sport

Verb

Meaning: participate in games or sport

Example: We played hockey all afternoon play cards Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: ace backstop bandy bid bowl bully off call catch complete cradle cricket croquet curl develop die exit face off field foul fullback fumble gamble golf line up misplay nail play out put out putt quarterback replay revoke seesaw snooker start tee off teeter-totter teetertotter unblock volley walk

Hypernyms: compete contend vie

Also see: play out

Meaning of "play": a theatrical performance of a drama

Noun

Meaning: a theatrical performance of a drama

Example: the play lasted two hours

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: curtain raiser musical musical comedy musical theater

Hypernyms: show

Meaning of "play": act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Verb

Meaning: act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Example: This factor played only a minor part in his decision This development played into her hands I played no role in your dismissal

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: act move

Meaning of "play": a preset plan of action in team sports

Noun

Meaning: a preset plan of action in team sports

Example: the coach drew up the plays for her team

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: basketball play football play knock on power play razmataz razzle razzle-dazzle razzmatazz

Hypernyms: plan of action

Meaning of "play": play on an instrument

Verb

Meaning: play on an instrument

Example: The band played all night long

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: accompany bow busk follow play along sound off strike up swing symphonise symphonize

Hypernyms: perform

Meaning of "play": a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Noun

Meaning: a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Example: he made a great maneuver the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

Synonyms: maneuver manoeuvre play

Hyponyms: assist ball hawking baseball play blitz completion figure footwork icing icing the puck jugglery linebacker blitzing mousetrap obstruction pass completion safety blitz shot stroke takeaway trap play

Hypernyms: motion move movement

Meaning of "play": play a role or part

Verb

Meaning: play a role or part

Example: 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

Synonyms: act play represent

Hyponyms: act out emote enact impersonate make make believe parody portray pretend reenact support

Hypernyms: re-create

Meaning of "play": a state in which action is feasible

Noun

Meaning: a state in which action is feasible

Example: the ball was still in play insiders said the company's stock was in play

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: action activeness activity

Meaning of "play": be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Verb

Meaning: be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Example: The kids were playing outside all day I used to play with trucks as a little girl

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: arse around cavort dabble disport fool fool around frisk frolic gambol horse around lark lark about paddle rollick romp roughhouse run around skylark splash around sport

Hypernyms: act

Meaning of "play": utilization or exercise

Noun

Meaning: utilization or exercise

Example: the play of the imagination

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: employment exercise usage use utilisation utilization

Meaning of "play": replay (as a melody)

Verb

Meaning: replay (as a melody)

Example: Play it again, Sam She played the third movement very beautifully

Synonyms: play spiel

Hyponyms: bang out bugle fiddle jazz misplay modulate prelude rag recapitulate repeat replay reprise reprize riff slur tongue

Hypernyms: re-create

Meaning of "play": an attempt to get something

Noun

Meaning: an attempt to get something

Example: they made a futile play for power he made a bid to gain attention

Synonyms: bid play

Hypernyms: attempt effort endeavor endeavour try

Meaning of "play": perform music on (a musical instrument)

Verb

Meaning: perform music on (a musical instrument)

Example: He plays the flute Can you play on this old recorder?

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: beat chord clarion drum fiddle harp pipe register skirl trumpet tweedle

Hypernyms: sound

Meaning of "play": activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Noun

Meaning: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Example: Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

Synonyms: child's play play

Hyponyms: doctor fireman house

Hypernyms: diversion recreation

Meaning of "play": pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Verb

Meaning: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Example: He acted the idiot She plays deaf when the news are bad

Synonyms: act act as play

Hypernyms: act behave do

Meaning of "play": (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Noun

Meaning: (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Example: rain stopped play in the 4th inning

Synonyms: period of play play playing period

Hyponyms: golf hole hole set

Hypernyms: amount measure quantity

Part Holonyms: bout chukka chukker final period first period frame half inning over period quarter round second period turn

Meaning of "play": move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Verb

Meaning: move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Example: The spotlights played on the politicians

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: go locomote move travel

Meaning of "play": the removal of constraints

Noun

Meaning: the removal of constraints

Example: he gave free rein to his impulses they gave full play to the artist's talent

Synonyms: free rein play

Hypernyms: freedom

Meaning of "play": bet or wager (money)

Verb

Meaning: bet or wager (money)

Example: He played $20 on the new horse She plays the races

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: underplay

Hypernyms: gamble

Meaning of "play": a weak and tremulous light

Noun

Meaning: a weak and tremulous light

Example: the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers the play of light on the water

Synonyms: play shimmer

Hypernyms: alteration change modification

Meaning of "play": engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Verb

Meaning: engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Example: On weekends I play The students all recreate alike

Synonyms: play recreate

Meaning of "play": verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

Noun

Meaning: verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

Example: he became a figure of fun he said it in sport

Synonyms: fun play sport

Hyponyms: clowning comedy drollery funniness jocosity jocularity paronomasia pun punning waggery waggishness wordplay

Hypernyms: humor humour wit witticism wittiness

Meaning of "play": pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Verb

Meaning: pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Example: Let's play like I am mommy Play cowboy and Indians

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: assume feign sham simulate

Meaning of "play": movement or space for movement

Noun

Meaning: movement or space for movement

Example: there was too much play in the steering wheel

Synonyms: looseness play

Hyponyms: slack slackness wiggliness

Hypernyms: movability movableness

Antonyms: tautness tightness

Meaning of "play": emit recorded sound

Verb

Meaning: emit recorded sound

Example: The tape was playing for hours the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: sound

Meaning of "play": gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Noun

Meaning: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Example: it was all done in play their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

Synonyms: caper frolic gambol play romp

Hyponyms: coquetry craziness dalliance flirt flirtation flirting folly foolery game horseplay indulgence lunacy teasing tomfoolery toying word play

Hypernyms: diversion recreation

Meaning of "play": perform on a certain location

Verb

Meaning: perform on a certain location

Example: The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16 She has been playing on Broadway for years

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: perform

Meaning of "play": (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Noun

Meaning: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Example: it is my turn it is still my play

Synonyms: play turn

Hyponyms: at-bat attack bat down innings lead move ruff start starting trick trumping

Hypernyms: activity

Meaning of "play": put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Verb

Meaning: put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Example: He is playing his cards close to his chest The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: cover declare pitch

Hypernyms: deploy

Meaning of "play": the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Noun

Meaning: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Example: his gambling cost him a fortune there was heavy play at the blackjack table

Synonyms: gambling gaming play

Hyponyms: bet gambling game game of chance sporting life throw wager

Hypernyms: diversion recreation vice

Meaning of "play": engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Verb

Meaning: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Example: They played games on their opponents play the stock market play with her feelings toy with an idea

Synonyms: play toy

Hypernyms: act behave do

Meaning of "play": the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Noun

Meaning: the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Synonyms: play swordplay

Hyponyms: fencing

Hypernyms: action

Meaning of "play": behave in a certain way

Verb

Meaning: behave in a certain way

Example: play safe play it safe play fair

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: act move

Meaning of "play": cause to emit recorded audio or video

Verb

Meaning: cause to emit recorded audio or video

Example: They ran the tapes over and over again I'll play you my favorite record He never tires of playing that video

Synonyms: play run

Meaning of "play": manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Verb

Meaning: manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Example: She played nervously with her wedding ring Don't fiddle with the screws He played with the idea of running for the Senate

Synonyms: diddle fiddle play toy

Hyponyms: put out retire

Hypernyms: manipulate

Also see: entertain flirt with think about think of toy with

Meaning of "play": use to one's advantage

Verb

Meaning: use to one's advantage

Example: She plays on her clients' emotions

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: exploit work

Meaning of "play": consider not very seriously

Verb

Meaning: consider not very seriously

Example: He is trifling with her She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

Synonyms: dally play trifle

Hypernyms: consider deal look at take

Meaning of "play": be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Verb

Meaning: be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Example: This speech didn't play well with the American public His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

Synonyms: play

Meaning of "play": behave carelessly or indifferently

Verb

Meaning: behave carelessly or indifferently

Example: Play about with a young girl's affection

Synonyms: dally flirt play toy

Hypernyms: act move

Meaning of "play": cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Verb

Meaning: cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Example: The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: displace move

Meaning of "play": perform on a stage or theater

Verb

Meaning: perform on a stage or theater

Example: She acts in this play He acted in `Julius Caesar' I played in `A Christmas Carol'

Synonyms: act play playact roleplay

Hyponyms: ham ham it up mime overact overplay pantomime stooge underact underplay

Hypernyms: perform

Meaning of "play": be performed or presented for public viewing

Verb

Meaning: be performed or presented for public viewing

Example: What's playing in the local movie theater? `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: debut

Meaning of "play": cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Verb

Meaning: cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Example: I cannot work a miracle wreak havoc bring comments play a joke The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area

Synonyms: bring make for play work wreak

Hypernyms: create make

Also see: arouse bring off bring on bring up call down call forth carry off conjure conjure up evoke induce invoke manage negociate pull off put forward raise stir

Meaning of "play": discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Verb

Meaning: discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Example: play water from a hose The fountains played all day

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: discharge

Meaning of "play": make bets

Verb

Meaning: make bets

Example: Play the races play the casinos in Trouville

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: bet play wager

Meaning of "play": stake on the outcome of an issue

Verb

Meaning: stake on the outcome of an issue

Example: I bet $100 on that new horse She played all her money on the dark horse

Synonyms: bet play wager

Hyponyms: back bet on gage game play punt raise see stake

Hypernyms: gamble

Meaning of "play": shoot or hit in a particular manner

Verb

Meaning: shoot or hit in a particular manner

Example: She played a good backhand last night

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: hook

Hypernyms: hit

Meaning of "play": use or move

Verb

Meaning: use or move

Example: I had to play my queen

Synonyms: play

Hyponyms: promote

Hypernyms: apply employ use utilise utilize

Meaning of "play": employ in a game or in a specific position

Verb

Meaning: employ in a game or in a specific position

Example: They played him on first base

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: apply employ use utilise utilize

Meaning of "play": contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Verb

Meaning: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Example: Princeton plays Yale this weekend Charlie likes to play Mary

Synonyms: encounter meet play take on

Hyponyms: confront face replay

Meaning of "play": exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Verb

Meaning: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Example: play a hooked fish

Synonyms: play

Hypernyms: beat exhaust tucker tucker out wash up

Synonyms:

hit, show, drama, performance, comedy, musical, turkey, smash, farce, theatrical, flop, mask, entertainment, tragedy, opera, potboiler, curtain-raiser, one-act, smash hit, stage show, game, sport, match, joking, teasing, pastime, jest, happiness, prank, caper, humor, sportiveness, frisk, lark, frolic, dalliance, recreation, delight, diversion, relaxation, disport, romp, fun, pleasure, gambol, gaming, foolery, action, room, working, give, activity, space, sweep, motion, leeway, swing, scope, operation, margin, exercise, movement, elbowroom, dance, caper, trifle, disport, toy, rejoice, cavort, romp, carouse, frisk, joke, clown, jump, revel, sport, dally, skip, divert, frolic, gambol, carry on, cut up, fool around, horse around, mess around, show off, kibitz, amuse oneself, be life of party, cut capers, entertain oneself, go on a spree, idle away, kick up heels, let go, let loose, make merry, let ones hair down, participate, contend, disport, vie, rival, challenge, recreate, contest, sport, take on, be on a team, engage in, take part, perform, do, portray, present, represent, execute, ham, discourse, impersonate, enact, ham it up, tread the boards, personate, playact, act the part of, lay an egg, play a gig, read a part, take the role of, put, game, set, take, maneuver, speculate, jockey, finesse, stake, chance, hazard, exploit, bet, wager, manipulate, lay money on, perform, work, blow, execute, drum, render, bow, tickle, fiddle, finger, operate, fidget, pedal,

Antonyms:

success, extreme, failure, work, task, sadness, sorrow, melancholy, extreme, profession, work, depression, gloom, misery, pain, unhappiness, seriousness, labor, trouble, idleness, inactivity, inaction, extreme, immobility, work, listen, be sad, face, work, watch, direct, listen, give up, work, watch, direct, listen, fail, work, watch, direct, listen, remove, displace, neglect, leave alone, work, watch, direct, ignore, listen, fail, watch, direct,

English

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