Word Information

Play

  • Scrabble US/Canada (OTCWL)
  • Scrabble UK (SOWPODS)
  • Words with Friends

Definitions for Play

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

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Words with Friends (10 points)

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