English

Detailed Synonyms for play in English

play:

to play verb (plays, played, playing)

  1. to play
    to play; to pretend; to play-act; to perform; to dramatize; to act; to dramatise
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
    • pretend verb (pretends, pretended, pretending)
    • play-act verb (play-acts, play-acted, play-acting)
    • perform verb (performs, performed, performing)
    • dramatize verb, American (dramatizes, dramatized, dramatizing)
    • act verb (acts, acted, acting)
    • dramatise verb, British
  2. to play
    to play
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
  3. to play
    to romp; to romp around; to frolic; to horse around; to run around wildly; to play; to let oneself go
    • romp verb (romps, romped, romping)
    • romp around verb (romps around, romped around, romping around)
    • frolic verb (frolics, frolicked, frolicking)
    • horse around verb (horses around, horsed around, horsing around)
    • run around wildly verb (runs around wildly, ran around wildly, running around wildly)
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
    • let oneself go verb (lets oneself go, let oneself go, letting oneself go)
  4. to play
    – engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously 1
    to play; to toy
    – engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • They played games on their opponents1
      • play the stock market1
      • play with her feelings1
    • toy verb (toys, toyed, toying)
      • toy with an idea1
  5. to play
    – pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind 1
    to act; to play; to act as
    – pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind 1
    • act verb (acts, acted, acting)
      • He acted the idiot1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She plays deaf when the news are bad1
    • act as verb (acts as, acted as, acting as)
  6. to play
    – exhaust by allowing to pull on the line 1
    to play
    – exhaust by allowing to pull on the line 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • play a hooked fish1
  7. to play
    – consider not very seriously 1
    to play; to trifle; to dally
    – consider not very seriously 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania1
    • trifle verb (trifles, trifled, trifling)
      • He is trifling with her1
    • dally verb (dallies, dallied, dallying)
  8. to play
    – participate in games or sport 1
    to play
    – participate in games or sport 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • We played hockey all afternoon1
      • play cards1
      • Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches1
  9. to play
    – contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle 1
    to encounter; to meet; to play; to take on
    – contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle 1
    • encounter verb (encounters, encountered, encountering)
    • meet verb (meets, met, meeting)
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • Princeton plays Yale this weekend1
      • Charlie likes to play Mary1
    • take on verb (takes on, took on, taking on)
  10. to play
    – employ in a game or in a specific position 1
    to play
    – employ in a game or in a specific position 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • They played him on first base1
  11. to play
    – use or move 1
    to play
    – use or move 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • I had to play my queen1
  12. to play
    – shoot or hit in a particular manner 1
    to play
    – shoot or hit in a particular manner 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She played a good backhand last night1
  13. to play
    – bet or wager (money) 1
    to play
    – bet or wager (money) 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • He played $20 on the new horse1
      • She plays the races1
  14. to play
    – put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game 1
    to play
    – put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • He is playing his cards close to his chest1
      • The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory1
  15. to play
    – stake on the outcome of an issue 1
    to play; to bet; to wager
    – stake on the outcome of an issue 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She played all her money on the dark horse1
    • bet verb (bets, betting)
      • I bet $100 on that new horse1
    • wager verb (wagers, wagered, wagering)
  16. to play
    – make bets 1
    to play
    – make bets 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • play the casinos in Trouville1
  17. to play
    – use to one's advantage 1
    to play
    – use to one's advantage 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She plays on her clients' emotions1
  18. to play
    – discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream 1
    to play
    – discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • play water from a hose1
      • The fountains played all day1
  19. to play
    – manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination 1
    to play; to fiddle; to toy; to diddle
    – manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She played nervously with her wedding ring1
      • He played with the idea of running for the Senate1
    • fiddle verb (fiddles, fiddled, fiddling)
      • Don't fiddle with the screws1
    • toy verb (toys, toyed, toying)
    • diddle verb (diddles, diddled, diddling)
  20. to play
    – cause to happen or to occur as a consequence 1
    to work; to play; to bring; to make for; wreak
    – cause to happen or to occur as a consequence 1
    • work verb (works, worked, working)
      • I cannot work a miracle1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • play a joke1
    • bring verb (brings, brought, bringing)
      • bring comments1
      • The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area1
    • make for verb (makes for, made for, making for)
    • wreak verb
      • wreak havoc1
  21. to play
    – perform on a certain location 1
    to play
    – perform on a certain location 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 161
      • She has been playing on Broadway for years1
  22. to play
    – be performed or presented for public viewing 1
    to play
    – be performed or presented for public viewing 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • What's playing in the local movie theater?1
      • `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years1
  23. to play
    – cause to emit recorded audio or video 1
    to run; to play
    – cause to emit recorded audio or video 1
    • run verb (runs, ran, running)
      • They ran the tapes over and over again1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • I'll play you my favorite record1
      • He never tires of playing that video1
  24. to play
    – emit recorded sound 1
    to play
    – emit recorded sound 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The tape was playing for hours1
      • the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered1
  25. to play
    – play a role or part 1
    to act; to represent; to play
    – play a role or part 1
    • act verb (acts, acted, acting)
      • She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role1
    • represent verb (represents, represented, representing)
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • Gielgud played Hamlet1
      • She played the servant to her husband's master1
  26. to play
    – perform on a stage or theater 1
    to act; to play; roleplay; playact
    – perform on a stage or theater 1
    • act verb (acts, acted, acting)
      • She acts in this play1
      • He acted in `Julius Caesar'1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She acts in this play1
      • I played in `A Christmas Carol'1
    • roleplay verb
    • playact verb
  27. to play
    – pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity 1
    to play
    – pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • Let's play like I am mommy1
  28. to play
    – replay (as a melody) 1
    to play; spiel
    – replay (as a melody) 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • She played the third movement very beautifully1
    • spiel verb
  29. to play
    – play on an instrument 1
    to play
    – play on an instrument 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The band played all night long1
  30. to play
    – perform music on (a musical instrument) 1
    to play
    – perform music on (a musical instrument) 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • He plays the flute1
      • Can you play on this old recorder?1
  31. to play
    – move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly 1
    to play
    – move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The spotlights played on the politicians1
  32. to play
    – cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space 1
    to play
    – cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack1
  33. to play
    – act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome 1
    to play
    – act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • This factor played only a minor part in his decision1
      • This development played into her hands1
      • I played no role in your dismissal1
  34. to play
    – engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion 1
    to play; recreate
    – engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • On weekends I play1
    • recreate verb
      • The students all recreate alike1
  35. to play
    – be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children 1
    to play
    – be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • The kids were playing outside all day1
      • I used to play with trucks as a little girl1
  36. to play
    – behave carelessly or indifferently 1
    to play; to toy; to flirt; to dally
    – behave carelessly or indifferently 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
    • toy verb (toys, toyed, toying)
    • flirt verb (flirts, flirted, flirting)
    • dally verb (dallies, dallied, dallying)
  37. to play
    – behave in a certain way 1
    to play
    – behave in a certain way 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • play safe1
      • play it safe1
      • play fair1
  38. to play
    – be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way 1
    to play
    – be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way 1
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)
      • This speech didn't play well with the American public1
      • His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee1
  39. to play
    – To start or continue the execution of a digital media file. 2
    to play
    – To start or continue the execution of a digital media file. 2
    • play verb (plays, played, playing)

Conjugations for play:

present
  1. play
  2. play
  3. plays
  4. play
  5. play
  6. play
simple past
  1. played
  2. played
  3. played
  4. played
  5. played
  6. played
present perfect
  1. have played
  2. have played
  3. has played
  4. have played
  5. have played
  6. have played
past continuous
  1. was playing
  2. were playing
  3. was playing
  4. were playing
  5. were playing
  6. were playing
future
  1. shall play
  2. will play
  3. will play
  4. shall play
  5. will play
  6. will play
continuous present
  1. am playing
  2. are playing
  3. is playing
  4. are playing
  5. are playing
  6. are playing
subjunctive
  1. be played
  2. be played
  3. be played
  4. be played
  5. be played
  6. be played
diverse
  1. play!
  2. let's play!
  3. played
  4. playing
1. I, 2. you, 3. he/she/it, 4. we, 5. you, 6. they

play [the ~] noun

  1. the play
    the leeway; the margin; the play
  2. the play
    the stage play; the play; the production
  3. the play
    the game; the play; the playing
  4. the play
    the competition
    – an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants 1
    the contest; the game; the play; the set
    the match
    – a formal contest in which two or more persons or teams compete 1
  5. the play
    the playing; the play
  6. the play
    the game; the play
  7. the play
    – the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully 1
    the play; the swordplay
    – the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully 1
  8. the 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) 1
    the play; the gambling; the gaming
    – the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • there was heavy play at the blackjack table1
    • gambling [the ~] noun
      • his gambling cost him a fortune1
    • gaming [the ~] noun
  9. the play
    – activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules 1
    the play; the child's play
    – activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child1
    • child's play [the ~] noun
  10. the play
    – (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession 1
    the turn; the play
    – (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession 1
    • turn [the ~] noun
      • it is my turn1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • it is still my play1
  11. the play
    – gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement 1
    the play; the frolic; the caper; the romp; the gambol
    – gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • it was all done in play1
    • frolic [the ~] noun
      • their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly1
    • caper [the ~] noun
    • romp [the ~] noun
    • gambol [the ~] noun
  12. the play
    – a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill 1
    the play; the manoeuvre; the manoeuver; the maneuver
    – a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the runner was out on a play by the shortstop1
    • manoeuvre [the ~] noun, British
    • manoeuver [the ~] noun, American
    • maneuver [the ~] noun
      • he made a great maneuver1
  13. the play
    – a preset plan of action in team sports 1
    the play
    – a preset plan of action in team sports 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the coach drew up the plays for her team1
  14. the play
    – an attempt to get something 1
    the bid; the play
    – an attempt to get something 1
    • bid [the ~] noun
      • he made a bid to gain attention1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • they made a futile play for power1
  15. the play
    – utilization or exercise 1
    the play
    – utilization or exercise 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the play of the imagination1
  16. the play
    – movement or space for movement 1
    the play; the looseness
    – movement or space for movement 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • there was too much play in the steering wheel1
    • looseness [the ~] noun
  17. the play
    – verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) 1
    the fun; the play; the sport
    – verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) 1
    • fun [the ~] noun
      • he became a figure of fun1
    • play [the ~] noun
    • sport [the ~] noun
      • he said it in sport1
  18. the play
    – a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage 1
    the play; the drama; the dramatic play
    – a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway1
    • drama [the ~] noun
    • dramatic play [the ~] noun
  19. the play
    – a theatrical performance of a drama 1
    the play
    – a theatrical performance of a drama 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the play lasted two hours1
  20. the play
    – a weak and tremulous light 1
    the play; the shimmer
    – a weak and tremulous light 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the play of light on the water1
    • shimmer [the ~] noun
      • the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers1
  21. the play
    – the removal of constraints 1
    the play; the free rein
    – the removal of constraints 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • they gave full play to the artist's talent1
    • free rein [the ~] noun
      • he gave free rein to his impulses1
  22. the play
    – a state in which action is feasible 1
    the play
    – a state in which action is feasible 1
    • play [the ~] noun
      • the ball was still in play1
      • insiders said the company's stock was in play1
  23. the play
    – (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds 1
    the play; the period of play; the playing period
    – (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds 1

Related Words for "play":


Alternate Synonyms for "play":


Antonyms for "play":


Related Definitions for "play":

  1. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully1
  2. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)1
    • there was heavy play at the blackjack table1
  3. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules1
    • Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child1
  4. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession1
    • it is still my play1
  5. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement1
    • it was all done in play1
  6. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill1
    • the runner was out on a play by the shortstop1
  7. a preset plan of action in team sports1
    • the coach drew up the plays for her team1
  8. an attempt to get something1
    • they made a futile play for power1
  9. utilization or exercise1
    • the play of the imagination1
  10. movement or space for movement1
    • there was too much play in the steering wheel1
  11. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)1
  12. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage1
    • he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway1
  13. a theatrical performance of a drama1
    • the play lasted two hours1
  14. a weak and tremulous light1
    • the play of light on the water1
  15. the removal of constraints1
    • they gave full play to the artist's talent1
  16. a state in which action is feasible1
    • the ball was still in play1
    • insiders said the company's stock was in play1
  17. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds1
    • rain stopped play in the 4th inning1
  18. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously1
    • They played games on their opponents1
    • play the stock market1
    • play with her feelings1
  19. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind1
    • She plays deaf when the news are bad1
  20. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line1
    • play a hooked fish1
  21. consider not very seriously1
    • She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania1
  22. participate in games or sport1
    • We played hockey all afternoon1
    • play cards1
    • Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches1
  23. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle1
    • Princeton plays Yale this weekend1
    • Charlie likes to play Mary1
  24. employ in a game or in a specific position1
    • They played him on first base1
  25. use or move1
    • I had to play my queen1
  26. shoot or hit in a particular manner1
    • She played a good backhand last night1
  27. bet or wager (money)1
    • He played $20 on the new horse1
    • She plays the races1
  28. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game1
    • He is playing his cards close to his chest1
    • The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory1
  29. stake on the outcome of an issue1
    • She played all her money on the dark horse1
  30. make bets1
    • play the casinos in Trouville1
  31. use to one's advantage1
    • She plays on her clients' emotions1
  32. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream1
    • play water from a hose1
    • The fountains played all day1
  33. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination1
    • She played nervously with her wedding ring1
    • He played with the idea of running for the Senate1
  34. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence1
    • play a joke1
  35. perform on a certain location1
    • The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 161
    • She has been playing on Broadway for years1
  36. be performed or presented for public viewing1
    • What's playing in the local movie theater?1
    • `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years1
  37. cause to emit recorded audio or video1
    • I'll play you my favorite record1
    • He never tires of playing that video1
  38. emit recorded sound1
    • The tape was playing for hours1
    • the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered1
  39. play a role or part1
    • Gielgud played Hamlet1
    • She played the servant to her husband's master1
  40. perform on a stage or theater1
    • She acts in this play1
    • I played in `A Christmas Carol'1
  41. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity1
    • Let's play like I am mommy1
  42. replay (as a melody)1
    • She played the third movement very beautifully1
  43. play on an instrument1
    • The band played all night long1
  44. perform music on (a musical instrument)1
    • He plays the flute1
    • Can you play on this old recorder?1
  45. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly1
    • The spotlights played on the politicians1
  46. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space1
    • The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack1
  47. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome1
    • This factor played only a minor part in his decision1
    • This development played into her hands1
    • I played no role in your dismissal1
  48. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion1
    • On weekends I play1
  49. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children1
    • The kids were playing outside all day1
    • I used to play with trucks as a little girl1
  50. behave carelessly or indifferently1
  51. behave in a certain way1
    • play safe1
    • play it safe1
    • play fair1
  52. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way1
    • This speech didn't play well with the American public1
    • His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee1
  53. To start or continue the execution of a digital media file.2

Related Synonyms for play