play

play[ plei ]

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

    "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

    同义词：dramadramatic play

  • a theatrical performance of a drama

    "the play lasted two hours"

  • a preset plan of action in team sports

    "the coach drew up the plays for her team"

  • a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

    "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

    同义词：maneuvermanoeuvre

  • a state in which action is feasible

    "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"

  • utilization or exercise

    "the play of the imagination"

  • an attempt to get something

    "they made a futile play for power"

    同义词：bid

  • activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

    "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

    同义词：child's play

  • (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

    "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

    同义词：playing periodperiod of play

  • the removal of constraints

    "they gave full play to the artist's talent"

    同义词：free rein

  • a weak and tremulous light

    "the play of light on the water"

    同义词：shimmer

  • verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

    同义词：funsport

  • movement or space for movement

    "there was too much play in the steering wheel"

    同义词：looseness

  • gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

    "it was all done in play"

    同义词：frolicrompgambolcaper

  • (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

    "it is still my play"

    同义词：turn

  • the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

    "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"

    同义词：gamblinggaming

  • the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

    同义词：swordplay

• v.
  • participate in games or sport

    "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"

  • 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"

  • play on an instrument

    "The band played all night long"

  • play a role or part

    "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"

    同义词：actrepresent

  • 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"

  • replay (as a melody)

    "She played the third movement very beautifully"

    同义词：spiel

  • perform music on (a musical instrument)

    "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"

  • pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

    "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

    同义词：actact as

  • move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

    "The spotlights played on the politicians"

  • bet or wager (money)

    "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"

  • engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

    "On weekends I play"

    同义词：recreate

  • pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

    "Let's play like I am mommy"

  • emit recorded sound

    "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"

  • perform on a certain location

    "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"

  • 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"

  • engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

    "They played games on their opponents"; "play the stock market"; "play with her feelings"

    同义词：toy

  • behave in a certain way

    "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"

  • cause to emit recorded sounds

    "Can you play my favorite record?"

    同义词：run

  • manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

    "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"

    同义词：toyfiddlediddle

  • use to one's advantage

    "She plays on her clients' emotions"

  • consider not very seriously

    "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"

    同义词：dallytrifle

  • 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"

  • behave carelessly or indifferently

    同义词：dallytoyflirt

  • cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

    "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

  • perform on a stage or theater

    "She acts in this play"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

    同义词：actroleplayplayact

  • be performed

    "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"

  • cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

    "play a joke"

    同义词：bringworkwreakmake for

  • discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

    "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"

  • make bets

    "play the casinos in Trouville"

  • stake on the outcome of an issue

    "She played all her money on the dark horse"

    同义词：betwager

  • shoot or hit in a particular manner

    "She played a good backhand last night"

  • use or move

    "I had to play my queen"

  • employ in a game or in a specific position

    "They played him on first base"

  • contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

    "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"

    同义词：meetencountertake on

  • exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

    "play a hooked fish"