play

phonetic symbol: / pléɪ / 

play - English Dictionary

[ noun ]
■ the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
swordplay

[ 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)
e.g.)
・there was heavy play at the blackjack table
gambling , gaming

[ noun ]
■ activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
e.g.)
・Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
child's play

[ noun ]
■ (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
e.g.)
・it is still my play
turn

[ noun ]
■ gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
e.g.)
・it was all done in play
caper , frolic , gambol , romp

[ noun ]
■ a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
e.g.)
・the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
maneuver , manoeuvre

[ noun ]
■ a preset plan of action in team sports
e.g.)
・the coach drew up the plays for her team

[ noun ]
■ an attempt to get something
e.g.)
・they made a futile play for power
bid

[ noun ]
■ utilization or exercise
e.g.)
・the play of the imagination

[ noun ]
■ movement or space for movement
e.g.)
・there was too much play in the steering wheel
looseness

[ noun ]
■ verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
fun , sport

[ noun ]
■ a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
e.g.)
・he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
drama , dramatic play

[ noun ]
■ a theatrical performance of a drama
e.g.)
・the play lasted two hours

[ noun ]
■ a weak and tremulous light
e.g.)
・the play of light on the water
shimmer

[ noun ]
■ the removal of constraints
e.g.)
・they gave full play to the artist's talent
free rein

[ noun ]
■ a state in which action is feasible
e.g.)
・the ball was still in play
・insiders said the company's stock was in play

[ noun ]
■ (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
e.g.)
・rain stopped play in the 4th inning
period of play , playing period

[ verb ]
■ engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
e.g.)
・They played games on their opponents
・play the stock market
・play with her feelings
toy

[ verb ]
■ pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
e.g.)
・She plays deaf when the news are bad
act , act as

[ verb ]
■ exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
e.g.)
・play a hooked fish

[ verb ]
■ consider not very seriously
e.g.)
・She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
dally , trifle

[ verb ]
■ participate in games or sport
e.g.)
・We played hockey all afternoon
・play cards
・Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

[ verb ]
■ contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
e.g.)
・Princeton plays Yale this weekend
・Charlie likes to play Mary
encounter , meet , take on

[ verb ]
■ employ in a game or in a specific position
e.g.)
・They played him on first base

[ verb ]
■ use or move
e.g.)
・I had to play my queen

[ verb ]
■ shoot or hit in a particular manner
e.g.)
・She played a good backhand last night

[ verb ]
■ bet or wager (money)
e.g.)
・He played $20 on the new horse
・She plays the races

[ verb ]
■ put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
e.g.)
・He is playing his cards close to his chest
・The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

[ verb ]
■ stake on the outcome of an issue
e.g.)
・She played all her money on the dark horse
bet , wager

[ verb ]
■ make bets
e.g.)
・Play the races
・play the casinos in Trouville

[ verb ]
■ use to one's advantage
e.g.)
・She plays on her clients' emotions

[ verb ]
■ discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
e.g.)
・play water from a hose
・The fountains played all day

[ verb ]
■ manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
e.g.)
・She played nervously with her wedding ring
・He played with the idea of running for the Senate
diddle , fiddle , toy

[ verb ]
■ cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
e.g.)
・play a joke
bring , make for , work , wreak

[ verb ]
■ perform on a certain location
e.g.)
・The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
・She has been playing on Broadway for years

[ verb ]
■ be performed or presented for public viewing
e.g.)
・What's playing in the local movie theater?
・`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years

[ verb ]
■ cause to emit recorded audio or video
e.g.)
・I'll play you my favorite record
・He never tires of playing that video
run

[ verb ]
■ emit recorded sound
e.g.)
・The tape was playing for hours
・the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

[ verb ]
■ play a role or part
e.g.)
・Gielgud played Hamlet
・She played the servant to her husband's master
act , represent

[ verb ]
■ perform on a stage or theater
e.g.)
・She acts in this play
・I played in `A Christmas Carol'
act , playact , roleplay

[ verb ]
■ pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
e.g.)
・Let's play like I am mommy
・Play cowboy and Indians

[ verb ]
■ replay (as a melody)
e.g.)
・Play it again, Sam
・She played the third movement very beautifully
spiel

[ verb ]
■ play on an instrument
e.g.)
・The band played all night long

[ verb ]
■ perform music on (a musical instrument)
e.g.)
・He plays the flute
・Can you play on this old recorder?

[ verb ]
■ move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
e.g.)
・The spotlights played on the politicians

[ verb ]
■ cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
e.g.)
・The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

[ verb ]
■ act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
e.g.)
・This factor played only a minor part in his decision
・This development played into her hands
・I played no role in your dismissal

[ verb ]
■ engage in recreational activities rather than work
■ occupy oneself in a diversion
e.g.)
・On weekends I play
recreate

[ verb ]
■ be at play
■ be engaged in playful activity
■ amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
e.g.)
・The kids were playing outside all day
・I used to play with trucks as a little girl

[ verb ]
■ behave carelessly or indifferently
e.g.)
・Play about with a young girl's affection
dally , flirt , toy

[ verb ]
■ behave in a certain way
e.g.)
・play safe
・play it safe
・play fair

[ verb ]
■ be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
e.g.)
・This speech didn't play well with the American public
・His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

Word list en

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