verb
1.
to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game)
2.(transitive)
to contend against (an opponent) in a sport or game
Erik played Misha at chess and lost
3.
to fulfil or cause to fulfil (a particular role) in a team game
he plays defence
he plays in the defence
4.(transitive)
to address oneself to (a ball) in a game
play the ball not the man
5.(intr; often foll by about or around)
to behave carelessly, esp in a way that is unconsciously cruel or hurtful; trifle or dally (with)
to play about with an admirer's feelings
6.(when intr, often foll by at)
to perform or act the part (of) in or as in a dramatic production; assume or simulate the role (of)
to play the villain
just what are you playing at?
7.
to act out or perform (a dramatic production)
8.
to give a performance in (a place) or (of a performance) to be given in a place
9.(intransitive)
to be received
How will these policies play in Middle England?
10.
to have the ability to perform on (a musical instrument)
David plays the harp
11.
to perform (on a musical instrument) as specified
he plays out of tune
12.(transitive)
a.
to reproduce (a tune, melody, piece of music, note, etc) on an instrument
b.
to perform works by (a specific composer)
to play Brahms
13.
to discharge or cause to discharge
I played the water from the hose onto the garden
14.
to operate, esp to cause (a record player, radio, etc) to emit sound or (of a record player, radio, etc) to emit (sound)
she played a record
the radio was playing loudly
15.
to move or cause to move freely, quickly, or irregularly
lights played on the scenery
16.(transitive) stock exchange
to speculate or operate aggressively for gain in (a market)
17.(transitive) angling
to attempt to tire (a hooked fish) by alternately letting out and reeling in line and by using the rod's flexibility
18.
to put (a card, counter, piece, etc) into play
19.
to gamble (money) on a game
20. See play ball
21. See play fair
22. See play false
23. See play by ear
24. See play for time
25. See play into the hands of
26. See play the fool
27. See play the game
noun
28.
a dramatic composition written for performance by actors on a stage, on television, etc; drama
29.
a.
the performance of a dramatic composition
b.
(in combination)
playreader
30.
a.
games, exercise, or other activity undertaken for pleasure, diversion, etc, esp by children
b.
(in combination)
playroom
c.
(as modifier)
play area
31.
manner of action, conduct, or playing
fair play
32.
the playing or conduct of a game or the period during which a game is in progress
rain stopped play
33. US and Canadian
a move or manoeuvre in a game
a brilliant play
34.
the situation of a ball that is within the defined area and being played according to the rules (in the phrases in play, out of play)
35.
a turn to play
it's my play
36.
the act of playing for stakes; gambling
37.
action, activity, or operation
the play of the imagination
38.
freedom of or scope or space for movement
too much play in the rope
39.
light, free, or rapidly shifting motion
the play of light on the water
40.
fun, jest, or joking
I only did it in play
41. See call into play
42. See make a play for
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English plega (n), plegan (vb); related to Middle Dutch pleyen
