play
play Lexical Profile
play Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
"Young children learn important social skills through unstructured play."
A dramatic literary work written to be performed by actors on a stage, television, or radio.
"Our class attended a performance of a famous Shakespearean play at the local theater."
The conducting of an athletic game or match, or a specific strategic maneuver executed within a game.
"Rain delayed play for two hours during the championship tennis tournament."
Freedom of movement or space in which a mechanism or part can move and operate.
"The mechanic noticed too much play in the steering wheel and tightened the linkage."
• verb
To engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
"The children went outside to play in the park after finishing their homework."
To participate in an athletic game, sport, or competitive match against an opponent.
"She likes to play basketball with her teammates every Saturday morning."
To perform music on a musical instrument or cause a device to emit recorded sound or video.
"He learned to play the acoustic guitar when he was twelve years old."
To represent or portray a specific character in a theatrical production, film, or television show.
"The veteran actor was chosen to play the lead detective in the new mystery series."
• Rhymes for play
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'plegan' (to exercise, frolic, or perform music) and the noun 'plega' (brisk movement, sport, or game), of West Germanic origin.