/ pleɪ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
OF CHILDREN
1.
play (with sb/sth) to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work :
[ v ]
A group of kids were playing with a ball in the street.
You'll have to play inside today.
I haven't got anybody to play with!
There's a time to work and a time to play.
[ vn ]
Let's play a different game.
➡ note at entertainment
2.
[ no passive ] play (at doing) sth to pretend to be or do sth for fun :
[ vn ]
Let's play pirates.
[ v ]
They were playing at being cowboys.
TRICK
3.
[ vn ] play a trick / tricks (on sb) to trick sb for fun
SPORTS / GAMES
4.
play (sth) (with / against sb) | play sb (at sth) to be involved in a game; to compete against sb in a game :
[ vn ]
to play football / chess / cards, etc.
Have you played her at squash yet?
France are playing Wales tomorrow.
[ v ]
He plays for Cleveland.
France are playing against Wales on Saturday.
Evans played very well.
5.
to take a particular position in a sports team :
[ v ]
Who's playing on the wing?
[ v - n ]
I've never played right back before.
6.
[ vn ] to include sb in a sports team :
I think we should play Matt on the wing.
7.
[ vn ] to make contact with the ball and hit or kick it in the way mentioned :
She played the ball and ran forward.
He played a backhand volley.
8.
[ vn ] ( in chess ) to move a piece in chess , etc. :
She played her bishop.
9.
( in card games ) to put a card face upwards on the table, showing its value :
[ vn ]
to play your ace / a trump
[ v ]
He played out of turn!
MUSIC
10.
play (sth) (on sth) | play sth (to sb) | play sb sth to perform on a musical instrument; to perform music :
[ vn ]
to play the piano / violin / flute, etc.
He played a tune on his harmonica.
[ vn , vnn ]
Play that new piece to us.
Play us that new piece.
[ v ]
In the distance a band was playing.
11.
play sth (for sb) | play sb sth to make a tape, CD, etc. produce sound :
[ vn , vnn ]
Play their new CD for me, please.
Play me their new CD, please.
[ v ]
My favourite song was playing on the radio.
ACT / PERFORM
12.
[ vn ] to act in a play, film / movie, etc.; to act the role of sb :
The part of Elizabeth was played by Cate Blanchett.
He had always wanted to play Othello.
13.
to pretend to be sth that you are not :
[ v - adj ]
I decided it was safer to play dead .
[ v - n ]
She enjoys playing the wronged wife.
14.
[ v ] play (to sb) to be performed :
A production of 'Carmen' was playing to packed houses.
HAVE EFFECT
15.
[ vn ] play a part / role (in sth) to have an effect on sth :
The media played an important part in the last election.
SITUATION
16.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to deal with a situation in the way mentioned :
He played the situation carefully for maximum advantage.
OF LIGHT / A SMILE
17.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to move or appear quickly and lightly, often changing direction or shape :
Sunlight played on the surface of the lake.
OF FOUNTAIN
18.
[ v ] when a fountain plays , it produces a steady stream of water
•
IDIOMS
Most idioms containing play are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example play the game is at game .
- have money, time, etc. to play with
- what is sb playing at?
- play with yourself
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- play about / around (with sb/sth)
- play along (with sb/sth)
- play at sth / at doing sth
- play away (from home)
- play sth back (to sb)
- play sth down
- play A off against B
- play on
- play on / upon sth
- play sth out
- play yourself / itself out
- play up | play sb up
- play sth up
- play with sb/sth
- play with sth
■ noun
CHILDREN
1.
[ U ] things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work :
the happy sounds of children at play
the importance of learning through play
a play area
IN THEATRE
2.
[ C ] a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio :
to put on (= perform) a play
a play by Shakespeare
a radio play
—see also morality play , mystery play , passion play
IN SPORT
3.
[ U ] the playing of a game :
Rain stopped play.
There was some excellent play in yesterday's match.
—see also fair play , foul play
4.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) an action or move in a game :
a defensive play
IN ROPE
5.
[ U ] the possibility of free and easy movement :
We need more play in the rope.
ACTIVITY / INFLUENCE
6.
[ U ] the activity or operation of sth; the influence of sth on sth else :
the free play of market forces
The financial crisis has brought new factors into play .
Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions.
OF LIGHT / A SMILE
7.
[ U ] ( literary ) a light, quick movement that keeps changing :
the play of sunlight on water
•
IDIOMS
- in / out of play
- make a play for sb/sth
- make great / much play of sth
- a play on words
—more at call verb , child , state noun , work noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English pleg(i)an to exercise , plega brisk movement , related to Middle Dutch pleien leap for joy, dance.