noun |
adj |
verb |
adv |
(noun) swordplay
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
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
(noun) child's play
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
(noun) turn
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
it is my turn; it is still my play
(noun) caper, frolic, gambol, romp
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
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
he made a great maneuver; the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
(noun) bid
an attempt to get something
they made a futile play for power; he made a bid to gain attention
(noun) looseness
movement or space for movement
there was too much play in the steering wheel
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
(noun) drama, dramatic play
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
(noun) shimmer
a weak and tremulous light
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers; the play of light on the water
(noun) free rein
the removal of constraints
he gave free rein to his impulses; they gave full play to the artist's talent
(noun) period of play, playing period
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
rain stopped play in the 4th inning
(verb) toy
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; toy with an idea
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad
consider not very seriously
He is trifling with her; She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
(verb) take on, encounter, meet
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Princeton plays Yale this weekend; Charlie likes to play Mary
stake on the outcome of an issue
I bet $100 on that new horse; She played all her money on the dark horse
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
(verb) work, wreak, make for, bring
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
(verb) run
cause to emit recorded audio or video
They ran the tapes over and over again; I'll play you my favorite record; He never tires of playing that video
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
perform on a stage or theater
She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar'; I played in `A Christmas Carol'
(verb) spiel
replay (as a melody)
Play it again, Sam; She played the third movement very beautifully
(verb) recreate
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
On weekends I play; The students all recreate alike
behave carelessly or indifferently
Play about with a young girl's affection