Meaning (1):
- activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Example in sentence:- Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Meaning (2):
- verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
Example in sentence:- he became a figure of fun;
- he said it in sport
Meaning (3):
- the removal of constraints
Example in sentence:- he gave free rein to his impulses;
- they gave full play to the artist's talent
Meaning (4):
- an attempt to get something
Example in sentence:- he made a bid to gain attention;
- they made a futile play for power
Meaning (5):
- a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
Example in sentence:- he made a great maneuver;
- the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Meaning (6):
- a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Example in sentence:- he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Meaning (7):
- the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
Example in sentence:- his gambling cost him a fortune;
- there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Meaning (8):
- a state in which action is feasible
Example in sentence:- insiders said the company's stock was in play;
- the ball was still in play
Meaning (9):
- (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Example in sentence:- it is my turn;
- it is still my play
Meaning (10):
- gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Example in sentence:- it was all done in play;
- their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
Meaning (11):
- (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Example in sentence:- rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Meaning (12):
- a preset plan of action in team sports
Example in sentence:- the coach drew up the plays for her team
Meaning (13):
- a theatrical performance of a drama
Example in sentence:- the play lasted two hours
Meaning (14):
- a weak and tremulous light
Example in sentence:- the play of light on the water;
- the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
Meaning (15):
- utilization or exercise
Example in sentence:- the play of the imagination
Meaning (16):
- movement or space for movement
Example in sentence:- there was too much play in the steering wheel
Meaning (17):
- cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
Example in sentence:- bring comments;
- I cannot work a miracle;
- play a joke;
- The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area;
- wreak havoc
Meaning (18):
- perform music on (a musical instrument)
Example in sentence:- Can you play on this old recorder?;
- He plays the flute
Meaning (19):
- contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Example in sentence:- Charlie likes to play Mary;
- Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Meaning (20):
- manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
Example in sentence:- Don't fiddle with the screws;
- He played with the idea of running for the Senate;
- She played nervously with her wedding ring
Meaning (21):
- play a role or part
Example in sentence:- Gielgud played Hamlet;
- She played the servant to her husband's master;
- She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
Meaning (22):
- perform on a stage or theater
Example in sentence:- He acted in `Julius Caesar';
- I played in `A Christmas Carol';
- She acts in this play
Meaning (23):
- pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Example in sentence:- He acted the idiot;
- She plays deaf when the news are bad
Meaning (24):
- use to one's advantage
Example in sentence:- He availed himself of the available resources;
- She plays on her clients' emotions
Meaning (25):
- put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Example in sentence:- He is playing his cards close to his chest;
- The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Meaning (26):
- consider not very seriously
Example in sentence:- He is trifling with her;
- She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Meaning (27):
- cause to emit recorded audio or video
Example in sentence:- He never tires of playing that video;
- I'll play you my favorite record;
- They ran the tapes over and over again
Meaning (28):
- bet or wager (money)
Example in sentence:- He played $20 on the new horse;
- She plays the races
Meaning (29):
- be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
Example in sentence:- His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee;
- This speech didn't play well with the American public
Meaning (30):
- stake on the outcome of an issue
Example in sentence:- I bet $100 on that new horse;
- She played all her money on the dark horse
Meaning (31):
- use or move
Meaning (32):
- act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Example in sentence:- I played no role in your dismissal;
- This development played into her hands;
- This factor played only a minor part in his decision
Meaning (33):
- be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Example in sentence:- I used to play with trucks as a little girl;
- The kids were playing outside all day
Meaning (34):
- pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Example in sentence:- Let's play like I am mommy;
- Play cowboy and Indians
Meaning (35):
- behave in a certain way
Example in sentence:- make merry;
- play fair;
- play it safe;
- play safe
Meaning (36):
- engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Example in sentence:- On weekends I play;
- The students all recreate alike
Meaning (37):
- participate in games or sport
Example in sentence:- Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches;
- play cards;
- We played hockey all afternoon
Meaning (38):
- exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Meaning (39):
- behave carelessly or indifferently
Example in sentence:- Play about with a young girl's affection
Meaning (40):
- replay (as a melody)
Example in sentence:- Play it again, Sam;
- She played the third movement very beautifully
Meaning (41):
- make bets
Example in sentence:- play the casinos in Trouville;
- Play the races
Meaning (42):
- engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Example in sentence:- play the stock market;
- play with her feelings;
- They played games on their opponents;
- toy with an idea
Meaning (43):
- discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Example in sentence:- play water from a hose;
- The fountains played all day
Meaning (44):
- perform on a certain location
Example in sentence:- She has been playing on Broadway for years;
- The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
Meaning (45):
- shoot or hit in a particular manner
Example in sentence:- She played a good backhand last night
Meaning (46):
- play on an instrument
Example in sentence:- The band played all night long
Meaning (47):
- cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
Example in sentence:- The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Meaning (48):
- move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
Example in sentence:- The spotlights played on the politicians
Meaning (49):
- emit recorded sound
Example in sentence:- the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered;
- The tape was playing for hours
Meaning (50):
- employ in a game or in a specific position
Example in sentence:- They played him on first base
Meaning (51):
- be performed or presented for public viewing
Example in sentence:- What's playing in the local movie theater?;
- `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Definition
[ n.]