【Dict.Wiki ❷⓿❷❷】play meaning, play slang, play definition, play translation.❤️️︎︎ What does play mean? Meaning of play. play Meaning, slang, Define and pronunciation...

play

  • EN [ pleɪ]
  • US [ pleɪ]
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English definition

    Noun

  • 1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;

    • "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
  • 2. a theatrical performance of a drama;

    • "the play lasted two hours"
  • 3. a preset plan of action in team sports;

    • "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
  • 4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;

    • "he made a great maneuver"
    • "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
  • 5. a state in which action is feasible;

    • "the ball was still in play"
    • "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
  • 6. utilization or exercise;

    • "the play of the imagination"
  • 7. an attempt to get something;

    • "they made a futile play for power"
    • "he made a bid to gain attention"
  • 8. play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;

    • "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
  • 9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;

    • "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
  • 10. the removal of constraints;

    • "he gave free rein to his impulses"
    • "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
  • 11. a weak and tremulous light;

    • "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"
    • "the play of light on the water"
  • 12. verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);

    • "he became a figure of fun"
  • 13. movement or space for movement;

    • "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
  • 14. 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"
  • 15. 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"
  • 16. the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;

    • "it is my turn"
    • "it is still my play"
  • 17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

    Verb

  • 1. participate in games or sport;

    • "We played hockey all afternoon"
    • "play cards"
    • "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
  • 2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome;

    • "This factor played only a minor part in his decision"
    • "This development played into her hands"
    • "I played no role in your dismissal"
  • 3. play on an instrument;

    • "The band played all night long"
  • 4. play a role or part;

    • "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"
  • 5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children;

    • "The kids were playing outside all day"
    • "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
  • 6. replay (as a melody);

    • "Play it again, Sam"
    • "She played the third movement very beautifully"
  • 7. perform music on (a musical instrument);

    • "He plays the flute"
    • "Can you play on this old recorder?"
  • 8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

    • "He acted the idiot"
    • "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
  • 9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;

    • "The spotlights played on the politicians"
  • 10. bet or wager (money);

    • "He played $20 on the new horse"
    • "She plays the races"
  • 11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;

    • "On weekends I play"
    • "The students all recreate alike"
  • 12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;

    • "Let's play like I am mommy"
    • "Play cowboy and Indians"
  • 13. emit recorded sound;

    • "The tape was playing for hours"
    • "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
  • 14. perform on a certain location;

    • "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"
    • "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
  • 15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game;

    • "He is playing his cards close to his chest"
    • "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
  • 16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;

    • "They played games on their opponents"
    • "play the stockmarket"
    • "play with her feelings"
    • "toy with an idea"
  • 17. behave in a certain way;

    • "play safe"
    • "play it safe"
    • "play fair"
  • 18. cause to emit recorded sounds;

    • "They ran the tapes over and over again"
    • "Can you play my favorite record?"
  • 19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;

    • "She played nervously with her wedding ring"
    • "Don't fiddle with the screws"
    • "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
  • 20. use to one's advantage;

    • "She plays on her clients' emotions"
  • 21. consider not very seriously;

    • "He is trifling with her"
    • "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
  • 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"
  • 23. behave carelessly or indifferently;

    • "Play about with a young girl's affection"
  • 24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;

    • "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
  • 25. perform on a stage or theater;

    • "She acts in this play"
    • "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"
    • "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
  • 26. be performed;

    • "What's playing in the local movie theater?"
    • "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
  • 27. 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"
  • 28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;

    • "play water from a hose"
    • "The fountains played all day"
  • 29. make bets;

    • "Play the reaces"
    • "play the casinos in Trouville"
  • 30. stake on the outcome of an issue;

    • "I bet $100 on that new horse"
    • "She played all her money on the dark horse"
  • 31. shoot or hit in a particular manner;

    • "She played a good backhand last night"
  • 32. use or move;

    • "I had to play my queen"
  • 33. employ in a game or in a specific position;

    • "They played him on first base"
  • 34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;

    • "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"
    • "Charlie likes to play Mary"
  • 35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;

    • "play a hooked fish"

Example sentences

  • He disillusioned his fans by his sloppy play.

  • She seems to have camped up at the third act of the play.

  • The play is in rehearsal now.

  • The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.

  • He has written a fine preface to the play.

  • The batsman began slowly but once he got his eye in he started to play some very good shots.

  • All the actors know the play backward.

  • The play has been very popular ; you have to book up well ahead.

  • Don't look down on the role women can play.

  • The scenery for the play must have cost too much.

  • The play got rave praises in the local press.

  • He acts as an old man in the play.

  • The conversation slows down the action of the play.

  • The boss attempted to play with his woman secretary.

  • Why are children not allowed to play ball games in the park?

  • The negotiation broke down because one side refused to play the game.

  • The children are at play.

  • If you play the fool, and lose a good job on consequence , you can hardly expect much sympathy.

  • The play is not to his liking.

  • The play was something to write home about.

  • Critics enthusiastically acclaimed the new play.

  • Taken altogether , this TV play was successful.

  • All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

  • Dave and Michelle invited me to go out with them but I don't want to play gooseberry all evening.

  • He's playing the lead in the new play.

  • There was some excellent play in yesterday's match.

  • When a fast ball lands short of you, you have to play back.

  • Who played Mary in the nativity play?

  • The applause made it evident the play was a hit.

  • I'm hovering between the concert and the play tonight.

Phrase collocation

  • play along 【非正式用语】

    To cooperate or pretend to cooperate

    • decided to play along with the robbers for a while.

  • play at

    To participate in; engage in.

    To do or take part in half-heartedly.

  • play back

    To replay (a recently recorded tape, for example).

  • play down

    To minimize the importance of; make little of

    • played down the defect to protect the troops' morale.

  • play off

    &I{Sports}

    To set (one individual or party) in opposition to another so as to advance one's own interests

    • a parent who played off one child against another.

  • play on 或 play upon

    To take advantage of (another's attitudes or feelings) for one's own interests

    • demagogues who play on popular fears.

  • play out

    To use up; exhaust

    • Our strength was played out early in the contest.

  • play up

    To emphasize or publicize

    • She played up her experience during the employment interview.

  • make a play for

    (informal)attempt to attract or attain

  • make (great) play of (或 with)

    draw attention to in an ostentatious manner, typically to gain prestige or advantage

    • the company made great play of their recent growth in profits.

  • make play with

    treat frivolously

  • not playing with a full deck

  • play ball

  • play something by ear

    perform music without having to read from a score

Slang

  • play hardball

    • You want to play hardball. Here we go.

    • Things are getting a little lough.The President has decided to play hardball on this issue.

    • play hell with (somebody

    • If you drive badly, it plays hell with the tyres of your car.

    • Your decision plays hell with all my friends.

    • You shouldn't play hell with me on this matter.

  • play fast and loose with somebody

    • He was playing fast and loose with his girlfriend. So she left him.

  • squeeze play

    • They pulled off that squeeze play like the professionals they are.

  • play dirty

    • When he started in politics he didn't mean to play dirty.

Synonym

Antonym

Meaning of play

There is relatively little information about play, maybe you can watch a bilingual story to relax your mood, I wish you a happy day!

Bilingual Reading Of The Day

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