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play
verb(play)contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Examples:
Princeton plays Yale this weekend.
Charlie likes to play Mary.
Charlie likes to play Mary.
play
verb(play)pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Synonyms: act, act as,
Examples:
She plays deaf when the news are bad.
play
verb(play)manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
Examples:
She played nervously with her wedding ring.
He played with the idea of running for the Senate.
He played with the idea of running for the Senate.
play
noun(play)a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Synonyms: drama, dramatic play,
Examples:
He wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway.
play
noun(play)gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Examples:
It was all done in play.
play
noun(play)activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Synonyms: child's play,
Examples:
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child.
play
verb(play)consider not very seriously
Examples:
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania.
play
verb(play)cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
Examples:
Play a joke.
play
verb(play)replay (as a melody)
Synonyms: spiel,
Examples:
She played the third movement very beautifully.
play
noun(play)(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Synonyms: turn,
Examples:
It is still my play.
play
verb(play)perform on a stage or theater
Examples:
She acts in this play.
I played in `A Christmas Carol'.
I played in `A Christmas Carol'.
play
verb(play)stake on the outcome of an issue
Examples:
She played all her money on the dark horse.
play
noun(play)a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
Examples:
The runner was out on a play by the shortstop.
play
verb(play)engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Synonyms: recreate,
Examples:
On weekends I play.
play
verb(play)cause to emit recorded audio or video
Synonyms: run,
Examples:
I'll play you my favorite record.
He never tires of playing that video.
He never tires of playing that video.
play
noun(play)movement or space for movement
Synonyms: looseness,
Examples:
There was too much play in the steering wheel.
play
noun(play)the removal of constraints
Synonyms: free rein,
Examples:
They gave full play to the artist's talent.
play
verb(play)engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Synonyms: toy,
Examples:
They played games on their opponents.
Play the stock market.
Play with her feelings.
Play the stock market.
Play with her feelings.
play
noun(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)
Examples:
There was heavy play at the blackjack table.
play
noun(play)verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
play
noun(play)(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Synonyms: period of play, playing period,
Examples:
Rain stopped play in the 4th inning.
play
verb(play)play a role or part
Examples:
Gielgud played Hamlet.
She played the servant to her husband's master.
She played the servant to her husband's master.
play
verb(play)act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Examples:
This factor played only a minor part in his decision.
This development played into her hands.
I played no role in your dismissal.
This development played into her hands.
I played no role in your dismissal.
play
noun(play)a preset plan of action in team sports
Examples:
The coach drew up the plays for her team.
play
noun(play)a state in which action is feasible
Examples:
The ball was still in play.
Insiders said the company's stock was in play.
Insiders said the company's stock was in play.
play
noun(play)a theatrical performance of a drama
Examples:
The play lasted two hours.
play
verb(play)be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Examples:
The kids were playing outside all day.
I used to play with trucks as a little girl.
I used to play with trucks as a little girl.
play
verb(play)behave in a certain way
Examples:
Play safe.
Play it safe.
Play fair.
Play it safe.
Play fair.
play
verb(play)be performed or presented for public viewing
Examples:
What's playing in the local movie theater?.
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years.
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years.
play
verb(play)bet or wager (money)
Examples:
He played $20 on the new horse.
She plays the races.
She plays the races.
play
verb(play)cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
Examples:
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack.
play
verb(play)discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Examples:
Play water from a hose.
The fountains played all day.
The fountains played all day.
play
verb(play)emit recorded sound
Examples:
The tape was playing for hours.
The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered.
The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered.
play
verb(play)employ in a game or in a specific position
Examples:
They played him on first base.
play
verb(play)exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Examples:
Play a hooked fish.
play
verb(play)make bets
Examples:
Play the casinos in Trouville.
play
verb(play)move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
Examples:
The spotlights played on the politicians.
play
verb(play)participate in games or sport
Examples:
We played hockey all afternoon.
Play cards.
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches.
Play cards.
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches.
play
verb(play)perform music on (a musical instrument)
Examples:
He plays the flute.
Can you play on this old recorder?.
Can you play on this old recorder?.
play
verb(play)perform on a certain location
Examples:
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16.
She has been playing on Broadway for years.
She has been playing on Broadway for years.
play
verb(play)play on an instrument
Examples:
The band played all night long.
play
verb(play)pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Examples:
Let's play like I am mommy.
play
verb(play)put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Examples:
He is playing his cards close to his chest.
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory.
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory.
play
verb(play)shoot or hit in a particular manner
Examples:
She played a good backhand last night.
play
verb(play)use or move
Examples:
I had to play my queen.
play
verb(play)use to one's advantage
Examples:
She plays on her clients' emotions.
play
noun(play)utilization or exercise
Examples:
The play of the imagination.