(based on instrument used) To produce music
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To engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation
“They felt at peace watching their children play contentedly together.”
(sports) To compete against
“Fans are excited at the prospect of seeing Roger play Rafael again in the final of the Grand Slam.”
To participate in a game
“My nephew always wants to play Uno with us.”
To act or perform a portrayal of
“In his latest role, Oscar would play an impulsive, trigger-happy flyboy who did not impress his admiral.”
To gamble
“Warren is a skillful investor who knows how to play the market.”
To deal with (something), usually effectively
“We really need to figure out how to play this delicate situation.”
(colloquial) To deceive someone
“I think the cab driver just played us. The fare was too expensive!”
(based on instrument used) To produce music
“Nelson was a very talented musician who could play several instruments.”
(based on the game being played) To strike a ball as part of a game
“Play the ball strategically.”
To move lightly and quickly, so as to appear and disappear
“A small smile played across his lips as their eyes met.”
To make a false show or pretense of
To wiggle, fidget or play with
To put on a public performance
To convince or manipulate
To make a sound, usually with an instrument
(engage in) To participate or become involved in
To send out (a team or individual) to play in a game
To play a string instrument, especially in a rhythmic way
To relax and take it easy
To arrange or contrive
To play video games
To exploit or take advantage of
To tease, typically in a good-natured way
(trip someone up) To detect or expose someone in a mistake or inconsistency
To move (a baby or young child) up and down in a playful or affectionate way
To conduct oneself in a particular way
To confront, or come up against, a given situation
To squirm or wriggle around
Activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children
“Play areas, and the equipment in them, should be developed to encourage adventurous play.”
A dramatic work for the stage or to be broadcast
“This tightly-crafted play lives up to the writer's reputation for delivering unexpected twists.”
The state of being active, operative, or effective
“This is when significant campaigning by influential people begins to come into play.”
A clever, often underhanded, means to achieve an end
“We need to come up with a clever play to close the sale.”
The space in or through which a mechanism can or does move
“Since then, there's been a lot of play in the steering.”
The scope or freedom to act or operate
“It also recognizes the fact that the full play of markets may create problems for society.”
A practical joke or mischievous trick
(as in a rule, policy, or law) The state of being operative or enforceable
A profession or occupation
A visually striking show or performance
A performance intended to amuse or be funny
An allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity
An approach or proposal made to someone with the aim of opening negotiations or establishing a relationship
A risky or uncertain proposition that one has bet on
A creative literary work
A player's turn to change the position of a piece in a board game
Game in which players evade a ball
A lack of seriousness, especially in the context of fun or entertainment
The playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something
The industry or activity of acting or stage performance
The capacity to bend or stretch under pressure
A short comic performance
A child's game, in which a player, hopping on one foot
A deal between two parties, especially in business
The state of being possible
A written work
The written text of a play, film, or broadcast
A presentation or item on television or radio, especially one broadcast regularly between stated times
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