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Definition of wordplay

wordplay

/ˈwɜːrdˌpleɪ/
word · play
Plural:wordplays
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wordplay Lexical Profile

wordplay Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The witty exploitation of the meanings and ambiguities of words, especially in puns.

Example

"Shakespeare's comedies are famous for their clever wordplay and rapid-fire banter."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for wordplay

• Nearby Words

wordless
wordlessly
wordlessness
wordplay
wordsearch
wordsmith
wordwrap

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'word' and 'play', likely modeled after the German 'Wortspiel'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wordplay. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wordplay
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