n.
Function: intransitive verb
Date: before 12th century
1 a : to engage in sport or recreation : FROLIC b : to have sexual relations especially : to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations ― usually used in the phrase play around c (1) : to move aimlessly about : TRIFLE (2) : to toy or fiddle around with something < play ed with her food> (3) : to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : JEST (4) : to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner (5) : to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
2 a : to take advantage < play ing on fears> b (1) : FLUTTER , FRISK (2) : to move or operate in a lively, irregular, or intermittent manner c : to move or function freely within prescribed limits d : to produce a stream <hoses play ing on a fire>
3 a (1) : to perform music < play on a violin> (2) : to sound in performance <the organ is play ing > (3) : to emit sounds <the radio is play ing > (4) : to reproduce recorded sounds <a record is play ing > b (1) : to act in a dramatic production (2) : SHOW , RUN <what's play ing at the theater> c : to be suitable for dramatic performance d : to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy <might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends ― V. L. Parrington> ― often used in the phrase play up to e : to produce a specified impression in performance <a movie that play s like a sitcom>
4 a : to engage or take part in a game b : to perform in a position in a specified manner <the outfielders were play ing deep> c : to perform an action during one's turn in a game d : GAMBLE e (1) : to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way < play safe> (2) : to feign a specified state or quality < play dead> (3) : to take part in or assent to some activity : COOPERATE < play along with his scheme> (4) : to act so as to prove advantageous to another ― usually used in the phrase play into the hands of
5 : to gain approval : GO OVER <her idea did not play well>
transitive verb
1 a (1) : to engage in or occupy oneself with < play baseball> (2) : to engage in (an activity) as a game (3) : to deal with, handle, or manage (4) : EXPLOIT , MANIPULATE b : to pretend to engage in the activities of < play war> <children play ing house> c (1) : to amount to by one's efforts < play ed an important role in their success> (2) : to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock < play a trick> (3) : WREAK < play havoc> (4) : to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy < play the national security card>
2 a (1) : to put on a performance of (a play) (2) : to act in the character or part of (3) : to act or perform in < play ed leading theaters> b : to perform or act the part of < play the fool>
3 a (1) : to contend against in or as if in a game (2) : to use as a contestant in a game <the coach did not play him> (3) : to perform the duties associated with (a certain position) < play ed quarterback> (4) : to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner b (1) : to wager in a game : STAKE (2) : to make wagers on < play the races> (3) : to speculate on or in < play the stock market> (4) : to operate on the basis of < play a hunch> c : to put into action in a game especially : to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick d : to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : FIELD < play ed the ball bare-handed> e : to direct the course of (as a ball) : HIT < play ed a wedge shot to the green> also : to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound < play ed the ball off the backboard>
4 a : to perform (music) on an instrument < play a waltz> b : to perform music on < play the violin> c : to perform music of (a certain composer) d (1) : to cause (as a radio or phonograph) to emit sounds (2) : to cause the recorded sound or image of (as a record or a magnetic tape) to be reproduced
5 a : WIELD , PLY b : to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect < play ed the hose on the burning building> c : to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently d : to keep (a hooked fish) in action
– play · abil · i · ty \ ˌ pl ā - ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– play · able \ ' pl ā - ə -b ə l \ adjective
– play ball : COOPERATE
– play both ends against the middle : to set opposing interests against each other to one's own ultimate profit
– play by ear : to deal with something without previous planning or instructions
– play games : to try to hide the truth from someone by deceptive means
– play one's cards : to act with the means available to one
– play possum : to pretend to be asleep or dead
– play second fiddle : to take a subordinate position
– play the field : to date or have romantic connections with more than one person
– play the game : to act according to a code or set of standards
– play with a full deck : to be rational or sane
– play with fire : to do something risky or dangerous
– play with oneself : MASTURBATE