Definitions from Wiktionary ( )

▸ verb:  (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
▸ verb:  (intransitive, especially with 'with'; see also play with) To toy or trifle; to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to be careless.
▸ verb:  (transitive, intransitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
▸ verb:  Specifying a particular sporting role or position.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To compete against, in a game.
▸ verb:  (transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.
▸ verb:  (intransitive, copulative) To act or behave in a stated way.
▸ verb:  To give a false appearance of being; to pretend to be.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To act as (the indicated role).
▸ verb:  To portray (a character) in film or theatre.
▸ verb:  (transitive, intransitive) To produce sound (especially music), moving pictures or theatrical performance.
▸ verb:  (transitive, intransitive, especially of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument.
▸ verb:  (intransitive, of a musical instrument) To produce music.
▸ verb:  (transitive, of a person) To operate (a device or media) so as to cause sound (especially music) or moving pictures to be produced.
▸ verb:  (transitive, usually of a person) To render (a musical title, compositional style, film title, etc.) using a musical instrument or device.
▸ verb:  (transitive, intransitive, of a device, media, broadcast, etc.) To emit or relay sound (especially music) or moving pictures; (of a device) to operate media.
▸ verb:  (intransitive, of a theatrical performance, film or music) To be performed, reproduced or shown.
▸ verb:  (transitive, of a theatrical company or band, etc.) To perform or give performances in or at (a venue or location).
▸ verb:  (transitive) To act or perform (a play).
▸ verb:  (transitive, intransitive) To move briskly, sweepingly, back and forth, in a directed manner, etc.
▸ verb:  To move in a light or brisk manner.
▸ verb:  To move so as to fall upon or sweep across something, or to direct or operate (something) in such a manner.
▸ verb:  To move in an alternating or reciprocal manner; to move to and fro.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To bring into action or motion; to exhibit in action; to execute or deploy.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To handle or deal with (a matter or situation) in a stated way.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To handle or deal with (something) in a calculating manner intended to achieve profit or gain.
▸ verb:  (intransitive) To be received or accepted (in a given way); to go down.
▸ verb:  To gamble.
▸ verb:  (transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.
▸ verb:  (transitive, colloquial) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle.
▸ verb:  (African-American Vernacular, intransitive) To kid; to joke; say something for amusement; to act or treat something unseriously.
▸ verb:  (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love; see also play around.
▸ verb:  For additional senses in various idiomatic phrases, see the individual entries, such as play along, play at, play down, play off, play on, play out, play to, play up, etc.
▸ noun:  (uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
▸ noun:  (uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
▸ noun:  (uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.
▸ noun:  (uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
▸ noun:  (countable) A short sequence of action within a game.
▸ noun:  (turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
▸ noun:  (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
▸ noun:  (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
▸ noun:  (countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.
▸ noun:  (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
▸ noun:  (uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)
▸ noun:  (uncountable) Freedom to move.
▸ noun:  The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.
▸ noun:  (uncountable, informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
▸ noun:  (countable) An instance of watching or listening to media.
▸ noun:  (countable, uncountable) An instance or instances of causing media to be watched or heard, such as by broadcasting.
▸ noun:  (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
▸ noun:  (countable) An instance of wordplay.
▸ noun:  (archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

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▸ Word origin

▸ Words similar to play
▸ Usage examples for play

▸ Idioms related to play
▸ Wikipedia articles (New!)
▸ Popular adjectives describing play
▸ Words that often appear near play
▸ Rhymes of play

▸ Invented words related to play