Dictionary.net

stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"

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"

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"

play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

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"

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"

movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"

imagined as in a play; "the make-believe world of theater"; "play money"; "dangling their legs in the water to catch pretend fish"

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

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"

the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"

a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"

utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"

a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"

a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"

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"

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill; "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"

exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked fish"

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

employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him on first base"

use or move; "I had to play my queen"

shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good backhand last night"

bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"

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"

make bets; "Play the reaces"; "play the casinos in Trouville"

use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"

discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"

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

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

cause to emit recorded sounds; "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "Can you play my favorite record?"

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

perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"

replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"

play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"

perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"

move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"

cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

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"

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"

behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"

stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"

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"

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"

play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

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"

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle; "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"

movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in the steering wheel"

imagined as in a play; "the make-believe world of theater"; "play money"; "dangling their legs in the water to catch pretend fish"

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

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"

the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"

a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"

utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"

a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two hours"

a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"

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"

perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

To act; to behave; to practice deception.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

To act on the stage; to personate a character.

To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.

A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

Performance on an instrument of music.

Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.

Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

To act; to behave; to practice deception.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

To act on the stage; to personate a character.

To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.

A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

Performance on an instrument of music.

Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.

Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

Spontaneous or voluntary recreational activities pursued for enjoyment and accessories or equipment used in the activities; includes games, toys, etc.

Any exercise or occupation for amusement; diversion; pastime; freedom or room to act; as, to give one’s arm full play in throwing a ball; rapid and energetic action or motion; exercise of mental powers; as, a play of wit or fancy; a drama, as a tragedy, comedy, etc.; gambling; as, to lose money at play; one’s turn to move a piece, lay down a card, etc., in a game; fun; jest; as, she did it in play; manner of dealing; as, fair play.

To engage in (some pastime) for amusement; as, to play ball; to make believe; as, to play school; perform; as, to play a waltz on a piano; to perform music on; as, to play the violin; to act in the character of; as, to play Hamlet.

Played.

Playing.

To move back and forth; as, wind, fire, or lightning, plays; to sport or frolic; to gamble; to perform on a musical instrument; to act on the stage.

To engage in some exercise or in a game: to sport: to trifle: to move irregularly: to operate: to act in a theatre: to perform on a musical instrument: to practice a trick: to act a character: to gamble.

To put in motion: to perform upon: to perform: to act a sportive part: to compete with.

Any exercise for amusement: amusement: a contending for victory: practice in a contest: gaming: action or use: manner of dealing, as fair-play: a dramatic composition: movement: room for motion: liberty of action.

Sport; game; action; room for action; drama.

To put in action; perform.

To sport; engage in a game; act; perform on; gamble.

To engage in (a game); produce or act in (a drama).

To perform upon, as a musical instrument.

To put into action.

To engage in play.

To gamble.

To act with levity; trifle.

To behave; act.

To move freely.

Action for amusement only; exercise; competitive trial; also, gambling.

A dramatic composition.

Freedom of movement.

Player.

n. Any exercise or series of actions intended for pleasure, amusement, or diversion; sport; frolic;—act of contending for amusement or for a prize, as at dice, cards, or other games; gaming;—practice in any contest;—manner of action;—a dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy;—representation or exhibition of comedy or tragedy;—performance on an instrument of music;—motion; movement, regular or irregular; hence, also, room formation; free and easy action; swing;—liberty of acing; room for enlargement or display; scope.