play


Meanings

  • a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;
    • "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
  • a theatrical performance of a drama;
    • "the play lasted two hours"
  • a preset plan of action in team sports;
    • "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
  • a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;
    • "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
  • a state in which action is feasible;
    • "the ball was still in play"
    • "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
  • utilization or exercise;
    • "the play of the imagination"
  • an attempt to get something;
    • "they made a futile play for power"
  • activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;
    • "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
  • (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;
    • "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
  • the removal of constraints;
    • "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
  • a weak and tremulous light;
    • "the play of light on the water"
  • verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);
  • movement or space for movement;
    • "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
  • gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;
    • "it was all done in play"
  • (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
    • "it is still my 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);
    • "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
  • the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
  • participate in games or sport;
    • "We played hockey all afternoon"
    • "play cards"
    • "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
  • 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"
  • play on an instrument;
    • "The band played all night long"
  • play a role or part;
    • "Gielgud played Hamlet"
    • "She played the servant to her husband's master"
  • 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"
  • replay (as a melody);
    • "She played the third movement very beautifully"
  • perform music on (a musical instrument);
    • "He plays the flute"
    • "Can you play on this old recorder?"
  • pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
    • "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
  • move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;
    • "The spotlights played on the politicians"
  • bet or wager (money);
    • "He played $20 on the new horse"
    • "She plays the races"
  • engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;
    • "On weekends I play"
  • pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;
    • "Let's play like I am mommy"
  • emit recorded sound;
    • "The tape was playing for hours"
    • "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
  • perform on a certain location;
    • "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"
    • "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
  • 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"
  • 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"
  • behave in a certain way;
    • "play safe"
    • "play it safe"
    • "play fair"
  • cause to emit recorded audio or video;
    • "I'll play you my favorite record"
    • "He never tires of playing that video"
  • manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;
    • "She played nervously with her wedding ring"
    • "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
  • use to one's advantage;
    • "She plays on her clients' emotions"
  • consider not very seriously;
    • "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
  • 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"
  • behave carelessly or indifferently;
  • cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;
    • "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
  • perform on a stage or theater;
    • "She acts in this play"
    • "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
  • be performed or presented for public viewing;
    • "What's playing in the local movie theater?"
    • "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
  • cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;
    • "play a joke"
  • discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;
    • "play water from a hose"
    • "The fountains played all day"
  • make bets;
    • "play the casinos in Trouville"
  • stake on the outcome of an issue;
    • "She played all her money on the dark horse"
  • shoot or hit in a particular manner;
    • "She played a good backhand last night"
  • use or move;
    • "I had to play my queen"
  • employ in a game or in a specific position;
    • "They played him on first base"
  • contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;
    • "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"
    • "Charlie likes to play Mary"
  • exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;
    • "play a hooked fish"
  • PLAY v -ED, -ING, -S to engage in amusement or sport PLAYABLE adj


Scrabble Score: 9

play is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word

play is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary

play is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary


Words With Friends Score: 10

play is a valid Words With Friends word