play
1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage (Freq. 32)
- he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
• Syn:
drama, dramatic play
• Derivationally related forms:
dramatic (for: drama), dramatist (for: drama), dramatize (for: drama), dramatise (for: drama), playlet
• Topics:
drama
• Hypernyms:
dramatic composition, dramatic work
• Hyponyms:
Grand Guignol, theater of the absurd, playlet, miracle play, morality play,
mystery play, Passion play, satyr play
• Part Meronyms:
stage direction, act
2. a theatrical performance of a drama (Freq. 10)
- the play lasted two hours
• Derivationally related forms:
playlet
• Hypernyms:
show
• Hyponyms:
musical, musical comedy, musical theater, curtain raiser
3. a preset plan of action in team sports (Freq. 8)
- the coach drew up the plays for her team
• Hypernyms:
plan of action
• Hyponyms:
knock on, power play, football play, razzle-dazzle, razzle,
razzmatazz, razmataz, basketball play
4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill (Freq. 6)
- he made a great maneuver
- the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
• Syn:
maneuver, manoeuvre
• Derivationally related forms:
manoeuvre (for: manoeuvre)
• Hypernyms:
motion, movement, move
• Hyponyms:
takeaway, figure, completion, pass completion, ball hawking,
assist, icing, icing the puck, jugglery, obstruction, baseball play,
footwork, stroke, shot, safety blitz, linebacker blitzing, blitz,
mousetrap, trap play
• Part Holonyms:
athletic game
5. a state in which action is feasible (Freq. 2)
- the ball was still in play
- insiders said the company's stock was in play
• Hypernyms:
action, activity, activeness
6. utilization or exercise (Freq. 1)
- the play of the imagination
• Hypernyms:
use, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise
7. an attempt to get something (Freq. 1)
- they made a futile play for power
- he made a bid to gain attention
• Syn:
bid
• Derivationally related forms:
bid (for: bid)
• Hypernyms:
attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules (Freq. 1)
- Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
• Syn:
child's play
• Hypernyms:
diversion, recreation
• Hyponyms:
house, doctor, fireman
9. a weak and tremulous light
- the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
- the play of light on the water
• Syn:
shimmer
• Derivationally related forms:
shimmery (for: shimmer), shimmer (for: shimmer)
• Hypernyms:
change, alteration, modification
10. movement or space for movement
- there was too much play in the steering wheel
• Syn:
looseness
• Ant:
tightness (for: looseness)
• Derivationally related forms:
loose (for: looseness)
• Hypernyms:
movability, movableness
• Hyponyms:
wiggliness, slack, slackness
11. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
- he became a figure of fun
- he said it in sport
• Syn:
fun, sport
• Hypernyms:
wit, humor, humour, witticism, wittiness
• Hyponyms:
jocosity, jocularity, waggery, waggishness, drollery,
drollery, comedy, funniness, pun, punning,
wordplay, paronomasia
12. the removal of constraints
- he gave free rein to his impulses
- they gave full play to the artist's talent
• Syn:
free rein
• Hypernyms:
freedom
13. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
- rain stopped play in the 4th inning
• Syn:
playing period, period of play
• Topics:
game
• Hypernyms:
measure, quantity, amount
• Hyponyms:
hole, golf hole, set
• Part Holonyms:
athletic game
• Part Meronyms:
chukker, chukka, inning, frame, turn,
bout, round, first period, second period, final period, half,
period, quarter, over
14. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
- his gambling cost him a fortune
- there was heavy play at the blackjack table
• Syn:
gambling, gaming
• Derivationally related forms:
game (for: gaming), gamble (for: gambling)
• Hypernyms:
diversion, recreation, vice
• Hyponyms:
sporting life, bet, wager, game of chance, gambling game, throw
15. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
- it was all done in play
- their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
• Syn:
frolic, romp, gambol, caper
• Derivationally related forms:
caper (for: caper), gambol (for: gambol), romp (for: romp), frolic (for: frolic)
• Hypernyms:
diversion, recreation
• Hyponyms:
flirt, flirting, flirtation, coquetry, dalliance,
toying, folly, foolery, tomfoolery, craziness, lunacy,
indulgence, game, horseplay, teasing, word play
16. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
- it is my turn
- it is still my play
• Syn:
turn
• Topics:
game
• Hypernyms:
activity
• Hyponyms:
move, start, starting, innings, attack,
attack, bat, at-bat, lead, ruff,
trumping, trick
17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
• Syn:
swordplay
• Hypernyms:
action
• Hyponyms:
fencing
1. participate in games or sport (Freq. 70)
- We played hockey all afternoon
- play cards
- Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
• See Also:
play out
• Derivationally related forms:
player, playing
• Hypernyms:
compete, vie, contend
• Hyponyms:
line up, curl, snooker, revoke, develop,
die, misplay, start, fumble, volley, unblock,
replay, cricket, backstop, fullback, quarterback, cradle,
exit, play out, field, catch, face off, bully off,
tee off, ace, complete, nail, gamble, walk,
bowl, golf, bandy, foul, put out, croquet,
putt, teeter-totter, teetertotter, seesaw, bid, call
• Verb Group:
meet, encounter, take on
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
- Somebody ----s something
2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome (Freq. 37)
- This factor played only a minor part in his decision
- This development played into her hands
- I played no role in your dismissal
• Hypernyms:
act, move
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s something
3. play on an instrument (Freq. 29)
- The band played all night long
• Derivationally related forms:
player, playing
• Topics:
music
• Hypernyms:
perform
• Hyponyms:
sound off, strike up, swing, symphonize, symphonise,
play along, accompany, follow, bow, busk
• Verb Group:
spiel
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s
- Somebody ----s
- Sam and Sue play
4. play a role or part (Freq. 27)
- Gielgud played Hamlet
- She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
- She played the servant to her husband's master
• Syn:
act, represent
• Derivationally related forms:
representation (for: represent), player, playing, actable (for: act), actor (for: act), act (for: act), acting (for: act)
• Topics:
performing arts
• Hypernyms:
re-create
• Hyponyms:
make, pretend, make believe, support, enact,
reenact, act out, impersonate, portray, parody, emote
• Verb Group:
act, act as, roleplay, playact
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s somebody
5. be at play;
be engaged in playful activity;
amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children (Freq. 23)
- The kids were playing outside all day
- I used to play with trucks as a little girl
• Derivationally related forms:
playing
• Hypernyms:
act
• Hyponyms:
roughhouse, horse around, arse around, fool around, fool,
frolic, lark, rollick, skylark, disport, sport,
cavort, gambol, frisk, romp, run around, lark about,
dabble, paddle, splash around
• Verb Group:
recreate
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
6. replay (as a melody) (Freq. 14)
- Play it again, Sam
- She played the third movement very beautifully
• Syn:
spiel
• Derivationally related forms:
playing
• Hypernyms:
re-create
• Hyponyms:
riff, misplay, fiddle, replay, prelude,
jazz, rag, bugle, reprise, reprize, repeat,
recapitulate, slur, bang out, modulate, tongue
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- They will play the duet
7. perform music on (a musical instrument) (Freq. 8)
- He plays the flute
- Can you play on this old recorder?
• Derivationally related forms:
playing
• Topics:
music
• Hypernyms:
sound
• Hyponyms:
register, skirl, beat, tweedle, chord,
pipe, drum, harp, fiddle, trumpet, clarion
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind (Freq. 6)
- He acted the idiot
- She plays deaf when the news are bad
• Syn:
act, act as
• Derivationally related forms:
act (for: act)
• Hypernyms:
act, behave, do
• Verb Group:
act, behave, do, represent
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s somebody
9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly (Freq. 5)
- The spotlights played on the politicians
• Hypernyms:
travel, go, move, locomote
• Verb Frames:
- Something is ----ing PP
10. bet or wager (money) (Freq. 5)
- He played $20 on the new horse
- She plays the races
• Hypernyms:
gamble
• Hyponyms:
underplay
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
11. engage in recreational activities rather than work;
occupy oneself in a diversion (Freq. 4)
- On weekends I play
- The students all recreate alike
• Syn:
recreate
• Derivationally related forms:
recreation (for: recreate), playing
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity (Freq. 4)
- Let's play like I am mommy
- Play cowboy and Indians
• Hypernyms:
simulate, assume, sham, feign
• Verb Group:
act, represent
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s somebody
- Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
13. emit recorded sound (Freq. 3)
- The tape was playing for hours
- the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
• Hypernyms:
sound
• Verb Group:
run
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s
- Something ----s something
14. perform on a certain location (Freq. 2)
- The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
- She has been playing on Broadway for years
• Topics:
performing arts
• Hypernyms:
perform
• Verb Group:
act, roleplay, playact
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game (Freq. 2)
- He is playing his cards close to his chest
- The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
• Hypernyms:
deploy
• Hyponyms:
pitch, cover, declare
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously (Freq. 2)
- They played games on their opponents
- play the stock market
- play with her feelings
- toy with an idea
• Syn:
toy
• Derivationally related forms:
toy (for: toy), playing
• Hypernyms:
act, behave, do
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
17. behave in a certain way (Freq. 1)
- play safe
- play it safe
- play fair
• Hypernyms:
act, move
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
- Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
- Somebody ----s Adjective
18. cause to emit recorded audio or video (Freq. 1)
- They ran the tapes over and over again
- I'll play you my favorite record
- He never tires of playing that video
• Syn:
run
• Verb Group:
run, execute
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s something
- Sam and Sue play the movie
19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination (Freq. 1)
- She played nervously with her wedding ring
- Don't fiddle with the screws
- He played with the idea of running for the Senate
• Syn:
toy, fiddle, diddle
• See Also:
toy with (for: toy)
• Derivationally related forms:
fiddler (for: fiddle)
• Hypernyms:
manipulate
• Hyponyms:
put out, retire
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s PP
20. use to one's advantage (Freq. 1)
- She plays on her clients' emotions
• Hypernyms:
exploit, work
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s PP
21. consider not very seriously (Freq. 1)
- He is trifling with her
- She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
• Syn:
dally, trifle
• Hypernyms:
consider, take, deal, look at
• Verb Group:
dally, toy, flirt
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s PP
- Sam wants to play with Sue
22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
- This speech didn't play well with the American public
- His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
23. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
- The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
• Hypernyms:
move, displace
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s something
24. be performed or presented for public viewing
- What's playing in the local movie theater?
- 'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
• Topics:
performing arts
• Hyponyms:
debut
• Verb Group:
act, roleplay, playact
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s
- Something is ----ing PP
25. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
- play water from a hose
- The fountains played all day
• Hypernyms:
discharge
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s
- Somebody ----s something
26. make bets
- Play the races
- play the casinos in Trouville
• Hypernyms:
bet, wager
• Verb Group:
bet, wager
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
27. shoot or hit in a particular manner
- She played a good backhand last night
• Hypernyms:
hit
• Hyponyms:
hook
• Verb Group:
meet, encounter, take on
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
28. use or move
- I had to play my queen
• Hypernyms:
use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ
• Hyponyms:
promote
• Verb Group:
meet, encounter, take on
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
29. employ in a game or in a specific position
- They played him on first base
• Hypernyms:
use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ
• Verb Group:
meet, encounter, take on
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s somebody
30. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- Princeton plays Yale this weekend
- Charlie likes to play Mary
• Syn:
meet, encounter, take on
• Derivationally related forms:
playing, encounter (for: encounter), meet (for: meet)
• Hyponyms:
confront, face, replay
• Entailment:
compete, vie, contend
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s somebody
- Sam and Sue play
- Sam cannot play Sue
31. perform on a stage or theater
- She acts in this play
- He acted in 'Julius Caesar'
- I played in 'A Christmas Carol'
• Syn:
act, roleplay, playact
• Derivationally related forms:
playactor (for: playact), playacting (for: playact), roleplaying (for: roleplay), player, playing, actable (for: act), actor (for: act), act (for: act), acting (for: act)
• Topics:
dramaturgy, dramatic art, dramatics, theater, theatre
• Hypernyms:
perform
• Hyponyms:
stooge, mime, pantomime, overact, ham it up,
ham, overplay, underact, underplay
• Verb Group:
act, represent
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
32. stake on the outcome of an issue
- I bet $100 on that new horse
- She played all her money on the dark horse
• Syn:
bet, wager
• Derivationally related forms:
wager (for: wager), wagerer (for: wager), bettor (for: bet), bet (for: bet), better (for: bet)
• Hypernyms:
gamble
• Hyponyms:
bet on, back, gage, stake, game,
punt, raise, see
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
- Somebody ----s something
33. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
- I cannot work a miracle
- wreak havoc
- bring comments
- play a joke
- The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
• Syn:
bring, work, wreak, make for
• See Also:
bring on (for: bring), bring off (for: bring), bring up (for: bring)
• Derivationally related forms:
workable (for: work)
• Hypernyms:
make, create
• Verb Group:
work, act
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s something
34. behave carelessly or indifferently
- Play about with a young girl's affection
• Syn:
dally, toy, flirt
• Derivationally related forms:
flirting (for: flirt), toying (for: toy), dalliance (for: dally)
• Hypernyms:
act, move
• Verb Group:
dally, trifle
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s
- Somebody ----s PP
35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
- play a hooked fish
• Hypernyms:
exhaust, wash up, beat, tucker, tucker out
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
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