play (plā) v., played, play·ing, plays.
v.intr.
To occupy oneself
in amusement, sport, or other recreation: children playing with toys.
To take part in a
game: No minors are eligible to play.
To
participate in betting; gamble.
To act in jest or sport: They're not
arguing in earnest, they're just playing.
To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently; toy. See synonyms at flirt.To behave or converse
sportively or playfully.
To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.
To act, especially in a dramatic production.
Music.
To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.
To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.
To be performed, as in a theater or on television: A good movie is playing tonight.
To be received or accepted: a speech that played poorly with the voters.
To move or seem to move
quickly,
lightly, or
irregularly: The breeze played on the water.
To function or discharge uninterruptedly: The fountains played in the courtyard.
To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.v.tr.
To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.
To assume the role of;
act as: played the peacemaker at the meeting.
To perform (a theatrical work) on or as if on the stage.
To present a theatrical performance in (a given place): The company played Detroit last week.
To
pretend to be; mimic the activities of: played cowboy; played the star.
To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.
To
compete against in a game or sport.
To occupy or
work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.
To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let's play her at first base.
To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubs
To
hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.
To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.
To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
To make bets on: play the races.
To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or
deception: play a
joke on a friend.
To handle; manage: played the matter quietly.
To use or
manipulate, especially for one's
own interests: played his opponents against each other.
The performance of such a work.
Activity engaged in for
enjoyment or recreation.
Fun or
jesting: It was all done in play.
The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured
expert play.
The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport: my partner's play of the last trump; his clumsy play of the rebound.
A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.
Participation in betting; gambling.
Manner of dealing with others; conduct:
fair play.
An attempt to
obtain something; a bid: a play for sympathy.
Action, motion, or use: the play of the
imagination.
Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See synonyms at
room.
Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.
Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color: the play of color on
iridescent feathers.
