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PLAY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
Synonyms:
play; swordplay
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
fencing (the art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules))
Sense 2
Meaning:
The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
Example:
there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)
vice (a specific form of evildoing)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
sporting life (active interest in gambling on sports events)
bet; wager (the act of gambling)
gambling game; game of chance (a game that involves gambling)
throw (casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly)
Derivation:
play (bet or wager (money))
play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)
play (stake on the outcome of an issue)
play (make bets)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Example:
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Synonyms:
child's play; play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
house (play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults)
doctor (children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office)
fireman (play in which children pretend to put out a fire)
Derivation:
play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)
Sense 4
Meaning:
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Example:
it is still my play
Synonyms:
play; turn
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
activity (any specific behavior)
Domain category:
game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
move ((game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game)
start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))
innings (the batting turn of a cricket player or team)
attack (an offensive move in a sport or game)
down ((American football) a complete play to advance the football)
at-bat; bat ((baseball) a turn trying to get a hit)
lead (the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge)
ruff; trumping ((card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit)
trick ((card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Example:
their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
Synonyms:
caper; frolic; gambol; play; romp
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
coquetry; dalliance; flirt; flirtation; flirting; toying (playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest)
craziness; folly; foolery; indulgence; lunacy; tomfoolery (foolish or senseless behavior)
game (frivolous or trifling behavior)
horseplay (rowdy or boisterous play)
teasing (playful vexation)
word play (playing on words or speech sounds)
Derivation:
play (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion)
play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)
Sense 6
Meaning:
A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
Example:
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
motion; move; movement (the act of changing location from one place to another)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
takeaway (the act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass))
figure (a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating)
completion; pass completion ((American football) a successful forward pass in football)
ball hawking (a skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing team)
assist ((sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play)
icing; icing the puck ((ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goal)
jugglery (the performance of a juggler)
obstruction (getting in someone's way)
baseball play ((baseball) a play executed by a baseball team)
footwork (the manner of using the feet)
shot; stroke ((sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand)
blitz; linebacker blitzing; safety blitz ((American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line)
mousetrap; trap play ((American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated)
Holonyms ("play" is a part of...):
athletic game (a game involving athletic activity)
Derivation:
play (shoot or hit in a particular manner)
play (use to one's advantage)
Sense 7
Meaning:
A preset plan of action in team sports
Example:
the coach drew up the plays for her team
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
plan of action (a plan for actively doing something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
knock on ((rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul))
power play ((ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties)
football play ((American football) a play by the offensive team)
razmataz; razzle; razzle-dazzle; razzmatazz (any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent)
basketball play (a play executed by a basketball team)
Derivation:
play (participate in games or sport)
play (employ in a game or in a specific position)
play (use or move)
Sense 8
Meaning:
An attempt to get something
Example:
he made a bid to gain attention
Synonyms:
bid; play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Utilization or exercise
Example:
the play of the imagination
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
employment; exercise; usage; use; utilisation; utilization (the act of using)
Derivation:
play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Movement or space for movement
Example:
there was too much play in the steering wheel
Synonyms:
looseness; play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
movability; movableness (the quality of being movable; capable of being moved or rearranged)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
wiggliness (a jerky back and forth kind of mobility)
slack; slackness (the quality of being loose (not taut))
Derivation:
play (cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space)
Sense 11
Meaning:
Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
Example:
he said it in sport
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
humor; humour; wit; witticism; wittiness (a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
jocosity; jocularity (fun characterized by humor)
waggery; waggishness (waggish behavior)
clowning; comedy; drollery; funniness (a comic incident or series of incidents)
paronomasia; pun; punning; wordplay (a humorous play on words)
Sense 12
Meaning:
A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Example:
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Synonyms:
drama; dramatic play; play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
dramatic composition; dramatic work (a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.)
Meronyms (parts of "play"):
stage direction (an instruction written as part of the script of a play)
act (a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet)
Domain category:
drama (the literary genre of works intended for the theater)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
Grand Guignol (a play of a macabre or horrific nature)
theater of the absurd (plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless)
playlet (a short play)
miracle play (a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr)
morality play (an allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries; characters personified virtues and vices)
mystery play (a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ)
Passion play (a play representing the Passion of Christ)
satyr play (an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs)
Derivation:
playlet (a short play)
play (perform on a stage or theater)
play (play a role or part)
play (be performed or presented for public viewing)
play (perform on a certain location)
Sense 13
Meaning:
A theatrical performance of a drama
Example:
the play lasted two hours
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
show (a social event involving a public performance or entertainment)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
musical; musical comedy; musical theater (a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing)
curtain raiser (a short play presented before the main play)
Derivation:
play (perform on a certain location)
play (be performed or presented for public viewing)
play (play a role or part)
play (perform on a stage or theater)
playlet (a short play)
Sense 14
Meaning:
A weak and tremulous light
Example:
the play of light on the water
Synonyms:
play; shimmer
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
alteration; change; modification (an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another)
Derivation:
play (move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly)
Sense 15
Meaning:
The removal of constraints
Example:
they gave full play to the artist's talent
Synonyms:
free rein; play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
freedom (the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints)
Sense 16
Meaning:
A state in which action is feasible
Example:
insiders said the company's stock was in play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
action; activeness; activity (the state of being active)
Derivation:
play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)
Sense 17
Meaning:
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Example:
rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Synonyms:
period of play; play; playing period
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Hypernyms ("play" is a kind of...):
amount; measure; quantity (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)
Meronyms (parts of "play"):
chukka; chukker ((polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is divided)
frame; inning ((baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat)
bout; round; turn ((sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive)
first period (the first division into which the play of a game is divided)
second period (the second division into which the play of a game is divided)
final period (the final division into which the play of a game is divided)
half (one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval)
period ((ice hockey) one of three divisions into which play is divided in hockey games)
quarter ((football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games are divided)
over ((cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch)
Domain category:
game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "play"):
golf hole; hole (one playing period (from tee to green) on a golf course)
set (a unit of play in tennis or squash)
Holonyms ("play" is a part of...):
athletic game (a game involving athletic activity)
Derivation:
play (participate in games or sport)
play (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they play ... he / she / it plays
Past simple: played
Past participle: played
-ing form: playing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Example:
toy with an idea
Synonyms:
play; toy
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Example:
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Synonyms:
act; act as; play
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
Verb group:
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
act; play; represent (play a role or part)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sense 3
Meaning:
Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Example:
play a hooked fish
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
beat; exhaust; tucker; tucker out; wash up (wear out completely)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 4
Meaning:
Consider not very seriously
Example:
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
consider; deal; look at; take (take into consideration for exemplifying purposes)
Verb group:
dally; flirt; play; toy (behave carelessly or indifferently)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
Sam wants to play with Sue
Sense 5
Meaning:
Participate in games or sport
Example:
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
compete; contend; vie (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)
Verb group:
encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
line up (take one's position before a kick-off)
curl (play the Scottish game of curling)
snooker (leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot)
revoke (fail to follow suit when able and required to do so)
develop (move into a strategically more advantageous position)
develop (move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions)
die (to be on base at the end of an inning, of a player)
misplay (play wrong or in an unskillful manner)
start (play in the starting lineup)
fumble (drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder)
volley (make a volley)
unblock (play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holding)
replay (play again)
cricket (play cricket)
backstop (act as a backstop)
fullback (play the fullback)
quarterback (play the quarterback)
cradle (run with the stick)
exit (lose the lead)
play out (play to a finish)
field (play as a fielder)
catch (be the catcher)
bully off; face off (start a game by a face-off)
tee off (strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a hole)
ace (play (a hole) in one stroke)
complete; nail (complete a pass)
gamble (play games for money)
walk (give a base on balls to)
bowl (engage in the sport of bowling)
golf (play golf)
bandy (toss or strike a ball back and forth)
foul (commit a foul; break the rules)
put out (retire)
croquet (play a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops)
putt (hit a putt)
seesaw; teeter-totter; teetertotter (ride on a plank)
bid; call (make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Also:
play out (play to a finish)
Derivation:
play (a preset plan of action in team sports)
play ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)
player (a person who participates in or is skilled at some game)
playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Example:
Charlie likes to play Mary
Synonyms:
encounter; meet; play; take on
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
"Play" entails doing...:
compete; contend; vie (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)
Verb group:
play (participate in games or sport)
play (employ in a game or in a specific position)
play (use or move)
play (shoot or hit in a particular manner)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
confront; face (oppose, as in hostility or a competition)
replay (repeat a game against the same opponent)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence examples:
Sam and Sue play
Sam cannot play Sue
Derivation:
playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)
play ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Employ in a game or in a specific position
Example:
They played him on first base
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)
Verb group:
encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)
play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
play (a preset plan of action in team sports)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Use or move
Example:
I had to play my queen
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)
Verb group:
encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)
play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
promote (change a pawn for a better piece by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it to the row closest to your opponent)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
play (a preset plan of action in team sports)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Shoot or hit in a particular manner
Example:
She played a good backhand last night
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
hit (cause to move by striking)
Verb group:
encounter; meet; play; take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
hook (secure with the foot)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Bet or wager (money)
Example:
She plays the races
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
gamble (play games for money)
Verb group:
play (make bets)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
underplay (play a card lower than (a held high card))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
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))
Sense 11
Meaning:
Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Example:
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
deploy (place troops or weapons in battle formation)
Verb group:
play (employ in a game or in a specific position)
play (use or move)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
pitch (lead (a card) and establish the trump suit)
cover (play a higher card than the one previously played)
declare (designate (a trump suit or no-trump) with the final bid of a hand)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
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))
Sense 12
Meaning:
Stake on the outcome of an issue
Example:
She played all her money on the dark horse
Synonyms:
bet; play; wager
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
gamble (play games for money)
Verb group:
play (make bets)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
back; bet on; gage; game; punt; stake (place a bet on)
play (make bets)
raise (bet more than the previous player)
see (match or meet)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
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))
Sense 13
Meaning:
Make bets
Example:
play the casinos in Trouville
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
bet; play; wager (stake on the outcome of an issue)
Verb group:
play (bet or wager (money))
bet; play; wager (stake on the outcome of an issue)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
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))
Sense 14
Meaning:
Use to one's advantage
Example:
She plays on her clients' emotions
Classified under:
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
exploit; work (use or manipulate to one's advantage)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Derivation:
play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill)
Sense 15
Meaning:
Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Example:
The fountains played all day
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
discharge (pour forth or release)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sense 16
Meaning:
Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
Example:
He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
manipulate (hold something in one's hands and move it)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
put out; retire (cause to be out on a fielding play)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 17
Meaning:
Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
Example:
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
Synonyms:
bring; make for; play; work; wreak
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
create; make (make or cause to be or to become)
Verb group:
act; work (have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sense 18
Meaning:
Perform on a certain location
Example:
She has been playing on Broadway for years
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
perform (give a performance (of something))
Verb group:
act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)
Domain category:
performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
play (a theatrical performance of a drama)
play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)
Sense 19
Meaning:
Be performed or presented for public viewing
Example:
'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Verb group:
act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)
Domain category:
performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
debut (appear for the first time in public)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Derivation:
play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)
play (a theatrical performance of a drama)
Sense 20
Meaning:
Cause to emit recorded audio or video
Example:
He never tires of playing that video
Synonyms:
play; run
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Verb group:
run (cause to perform)
play (emit recorded sound)
execute; run (carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue play the movie
Sense 21
Meaning:
Emit recorded sound
Example:
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
sound (give off a certain sound or sounds)
Verb group:
play; run (cause to emit recorded audio or video)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something ----s something
Sense 22
Meaning:
Play a role or part
Example:
She played the servant to her husband's master
Synonyms:
act; play; represent
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
re-create (create anew)
Verb group:
act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)
act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)
play (pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity)
Domain category:
performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
make; make believe; pretend (represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like)
support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))
act out; enact; reenact (act out; represent or perform as if in a play)
act out (represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage)
impersonate; portray (assume or act the character of)
parody (make a spoof of or make fun of)
emote (give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)
play (a theatrical performance of a drama)
player (a theatrical performer)
playing (the performance of a part or role in a drama)
Sense 23
Meaning:
Perform on a stage or theater
Example:
I played in 'A Christmas Carol'
Synonyms:
act; play; playact; roleplay
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
perform (give a performance (of something))
Verb group:
play (perform on a certain location)
play (be performed or presented for public viewing)
act; play; represent (play a role or part)
act (be suitable for theatrical performance)
Domain category:
dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
stooge (act as the stooge)
mime; pantomime (act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only)
ham; ham it up; overact; overplay (exaggerate one's acting)
underact; underplay (act (a role) with great restraint)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
playing (the performance of a part or role in a drama)
player (a theatrical performer)
play (a theatrical performance of a drama)
play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)
Sense 24
Meaning:
Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Example:
Play cowboy and Indians
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
assume; feign; sham; simulate (make a pretence of)
Verb group:
act; play; represent (play a role or part)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Sense 25
Meaning:
Replay (as a melody)
Example:
She played the third movement very beautifully
Synonyms:
play; spiel
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
re-create (create anew)
Verb group:
play (play on an instrument)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
riff (play riffs)
misplay (play incorrectly, e.g., play a wrong note)
fiddle (play on a violin)
replay (play (a melody) again)
prelude (play as a prelude)
jazz (play something in the style of jazz)
rag (play in ragtime)
bugle (play on a bugle)
recapitulate; repeat; reprise; reprize (repeat an earlier theme of a composition)
slur (play smoothly or legato)
bang out (play loudly)
modulate (change the key of, in music)
tongue (articulate by tonguing, as when playing wind instruments)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They will play the duet
Derivation:
playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)
Sense 26
Meaning:
Play on an instrument
Example:
The band played all night long
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
perform (give a performance (of something))
Verb group:
play; spiel (replay (as a melody))
play (perform music on (a musical instrument))
Domain category:
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
sound off; strike up (start playing)
swing (play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm)
symphonise; symphonize (play or sound together, in harmony)
accompany; follow; play along (perform an accompaniment to)
bow (play on a stringed instrument with a bow)
busk (play music in a public place and solicit money for it)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue play
Derivation:
player (someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession))
playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)
Sense 27
Meaning:
Perform music on (a musical instrument)
Example:
Can you play on this old recorder?
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
sound (cause to sound)
Verb group:
play (play on an instrument)
Domain category:
music (musical activity (singing or whistling etc.))
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
register (manipulate the registers of an organ)
skirl (play the bagpipes)
beat (produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly)
tweedle (play negligently on a musical instrument)
chord (play chords on (a stringed instrument))
pipe (play on a pipe)
drum (play a percussion instrument)
harp (play the harp)
fiddle (play the violin or fiddle)
trumpet (play or blow on the trumpet)
clarion (blow the clarion)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
playing (the act of playing a musical instrument)
Sense 28
Meaning:
Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
Example:
The spotlights played on the politicians
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)
Sentence frame:
Something is ----ing PP
Derivation:
play (a weak and tremulous light)
Sense 29
Meaning:
Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
Example:
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
displace; move (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
play (movement or space for movement)
Sense 30
Meaning:
Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Example:
I played no role in your dismissal
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Verb group:
play (behave in a certain way)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
play (utilization or exercise)
play (a state in which action is feasible)
Sense 31
Meaning:
Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Example:
The students all recreate alike
Synonyms:
play; recreate
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Verb group:
play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
play (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)
playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)
Sense 32
Meaning:
Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Example:
I used to play with trucks as a little girl
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act (be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure)
Verb group:
play; recreate (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "play"):
roughhouse (engage in rough or disorderly play)
arse around; fool; fool around; horse around (indulge in horseplay)
cavort; disport; frisk; frolic; gambol; lark; lark about; rollick; romp; run around; skylark; sport (play boisterously)
dabble; paddle; splash around (play in or as if in water, as of small children)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
play (activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules)
play (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)
playing (the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation)
Sense 33
Meaning:
Behave carelessly or indifferently
Example:
Play about with a young girl's affection
Synonyms:
dally; flirt; play; toy
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Verb group:
dally; play; trifle (consider not very seriously)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 34
Meaning:
Behave in a certain way
Example:
play fair
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "play" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Verb group:
play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s Adjective
Sense 35
Meaning:
Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
Example:
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Context examples:
Mr. Alec, however, was a dangerous man to play games of that sort with.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
This protein plays a role in the localization of protein kinase A.
(A-Kinase Anchor Protein 10, Mitochondrial, NCI Thesaurus)
This gene plays a role in multi-drug resistance and is involved in blood-brain barrier transport.
(ABCB1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
This gene plays a role in both membrane transport and drug resistance.
(ABCB5 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
This gene is involved in multi-drug resistance, antigen presentation and is postulated to play a role in mitochondrial function.
(ABCB6 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
This allele, which encodes medium-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial protein, plays a role in lipid oxidation.
(ACADM wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
He replied by asking her to make room for him, and talking of the play.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
The stir of the life that was in him, the play of his muscles, was an unending happiness.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
This protein may play a role in melanin production.
(Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T-Cells 1, NCI Thesaurus)
He has his madams to play with, and to bring them back to happiness, and to those that love them.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
