MiniDic > P > play

wordshelp
dictionary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
play > 52 senses
NOUN1play, drama, dramatic playA dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
2playA theatrical performance of a drama
3playA preset plan of action in team sports
4play, maneuver, manoeuvreA deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
5playA state in which action is feasible
6playUtilization or exercise
7play, bidAn attempt to get something
8play, child's playPlay by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
9play, playing period, period of play(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
10play, free reinThe removal of constraints
11play, shimmerA weak and tremulous light
12play, fun, sportVerbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
13play, loosenessMovement or space for movement
14play, frolic, romp, gambol, caperGay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
15play, gambling, gamingThe act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
16play, turnThe activity of doing something in an agreed succession
17play, swordplayThe act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
VERB1playParticipate in games or sport
2playAct or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
3playPlay on an instrument
4play, act, representPlay a role or part
5playBe at play
6play, spielReplay (as a melody)
7playPerform music on (a musical instrument)
8play, act, act asPretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
9playMove or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
10playBet or wager (money)
11play, recreateEngage in recreational activities rather than work
12playPretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
13playEmit recorded sound
14playPerform on a certain location
15playPut (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
16play, toyEngage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
17playBehave in a certain way
18play, runCause to emit recorded sounds
19play, toy, fiddle, diddleManipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
20playUse to one's advantage
21play, dally, trifleConsider not very seriously
22playBe received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
23play, dally, toy, flirtBehave carelessly or indifferently
24playCause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
25play, act, roleplay, playactPerform on a stage or theater
26playBe performed
27play, bring, work, wreak, make forCause to happen or to occur as a consequence
28playDischarge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
29playMake bets
30play, bet, wagerStake on the outcome of an issue
31playShoot or hit in a particular manner
32playUse or move
33playEmploy in a game or in a specific position
34play, meet, encounter, take onContend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
35playExhaust by allowing to pull on the line
play > pronunciation
Soundspley'
RhymesAAA, allay, ballet, and 37 more rhymes in ley at the HyperDic website...
play > noun 1, communication
MeaningA dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage.
Examples"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
Synonymsdrama, dramatic play
Categorydrama
Partsstage direction; act
NarrowerGrand Guignol; theater of the absurd; playlet; miracle play; morality play; mystery play; Passion play; satyr play
Broaderdramatic composition, dramatic work
Verbsplay; play; play; play
play > noun 2, communication
MeaningA theatrical performance of a drama.
Examples"the play lasted two hours"
Narrowermusical, musical comedy, musical theater; curtain raiser
Broadershow
Verbsplay; play; play; play
play > noun 3, act
MeaningA preset plan of action in team sports.
Examples"the coach drew up the plays for her team"
Narrowerknock on; football play; razzle-dazzle, razzle, razzmatazz, razmataz; basketball play; baseball play
Broaderplan of action
Verbsplay; play; play
play > noun 4, act
MeaningA deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill.
Examples"the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
Synonymsmaneuver, manoeuvre
Part ofathletic game
Narrowertakeaway; figure; completion, pass completion; ball hawking; assist; icing, icing the puck; jugglery; obstruction; footwork; stroke, shot; safety blitz, linebacker blitzing, blitz; mousetrap, trap play
Broadermotion, movement, move
Verbsplay; play
play > noun 5, state
MeaningA state in which action is feasible.
Examples"the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
Broaderaction, activity, activeness
Verbsplay
play > noun 6, act
MeaningUtilization or exercise.
Examples"the play of the imagination"
Broaderuse, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise
Verbsplay
play > noun 7, act
MeaningAn attempt to get something.
Examples"they made a futile play for power"
Synonymsbid
Broaderattempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
play > noun 8, act
MeaningPlay by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules.
Examples"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
Synonymschild's play
Narrowerhouse; doctor; fireman
Broaderdiversion, recreation
Verbsplay
play > noun 9, time
Meaning(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds.
Examples"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
Synonymsplaying period, period of play
Categorygame
Part ofathletic game
Narrowerhole, golf hole; chukka, chukker; inning, frame; set; turn, bout, round; first period; second period; third period; final period; half; period; quarter; over
Broadermeasure, quantity, amount
Verbsplay; play
play > noun 10, state
MeaningThe removal of constraints.
Examples"they gave full play to the artist's talent"
Synonymsfree rein
Broaderfreedom
play > noun 11, event
MeaningA weak and tremulous light.
Examples"the play of light on the water"
Synonymsshimmer
Broaderchange, alteration, modification
Verbsplay
play > noun 12, communication
MeaningVerbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously).
Synonymsfun, sport
Narrowerjocosity, jocularity; waggery, waggishness; drollery, clowning, comedy, funniness; pun, punning, wordplay, paronomasia
Broaderwit, humor, humour, witticism, wittiness
play > noun 13, attribute
MeaningMovement or space for movement.
Examples"there was too much play in the steering wheel"
Synonymslooseness
Narrowerwiggliness; slack, slackness
Broadermovability, movableness
Contrarytightness, tautness
Verbsplay
play > noun 14, act
MeaningGay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement.
Examples"it was all done in play"
Synonymsfrolic, romp, gambol, caper
Narrowerflirt, flirting, flirtation, coquetry, dalliance, toying; folly, foolery, tomfoolery, craziness, lunacy, indulgence; game; horseplay; teasing; word play
Broaderdiversion, recreation
Verbsplay; play
play > noun 15, act
MeaningThe act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize).
Examples"there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
Synonymsgambling, gaming
Narrowersporting life; bet, wager; game of chance, gambling game; unlicensed gambling; throw
Broaderdiversion, recreation; vice
Verbsplay; play; play; play
play > noun 16, act
MeaningThe activity of doing something in an agreed succession.
Examples"it is still my play"
Synonymsturn
Part ofgame
Narrowermove; start, starting; innings; attack; down; bat, at-bat; lead; ruff, trumping
Broaderactivity
play > noun 17, act
MeaningThe act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully.
Synonymsswordplay
Narrowerfencing
Broaderaction
play > verb 1, competition
MeaningParticipate in games or sport.
PatternSomebody ----s; Somebody ----s something
Examples"We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
Entailed bymove, go; tie, draw
Narrowercurl; snooker; revoke; develop; develop; die; misplay; start; fumble; volley; unblock; replay; cricket; backstop; fullback; quarterback; cradle; exit; play out; field; catch; face off, bully off; tee off; ace; complete, nail; gamble; walk; bowl; golf; bandy; foul; put out; croquet; putt; seesaw; bid, call
Broadercompete, vie, contend
Similar tomeet, encounter, play, take on
Participleplayed
See alsoplay out
Nounsplay; play; player; player; playing
play > verb 2, social
MeaningAct or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Examples"This factor played only a minor part in his decision"; "This development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"
Broaderact, move
Similar toplay
Nounsplay; play
play > verb 3, creation
MeaningPlay on an instrument.
PatternSomething ----s; Somebody ----s
ModelSam and Sue play
Examples"The band played all night long"
Categorymusic
Narrowersound off, strike up; swing; symphonize, symphonise; play along, accompany, follow; bow
Broaderperform
Similar toplay, spiel; play
Nounsplayer; playing
play > verb 4, creation
MeaningPlay a role or part.
PatternSomebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody
Examples"Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
Synonymsact, represent
Categoryperforming arts
Entailed byenter
Narrowermake, pretend, make believe; support; enact, reenact, act out; act out; impersonate, portray; parody; emote
Broaderre-create
Similar toact, play, act as; act, play, roleplay, playact; play
Nounsplaying; play; player; play
play > verb 5, social
MeaningBe at play. Be engaged in playful activity. Amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children.
PatternSomebody ----s
Examples"The kids were playing outside all day"; "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
Narrowerhorse around, arse around, fool around, fool; frolic, lark, rollick, skylark, disport, sport, cavort, gambol, frisk, romp, run around, lark about; dabble, paddle, splash around
Broaderact
Similar toplay, recreate
Nounsplay; play; playing
play > verb 6, creation
MeaningReplay (as a melody).
PatternSomebody ----s something
ModelThey will play the duet
Examples"Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
Synonymsspiel
Entailed bypedal
Narrowerriff; misplay; fiddle; replay; prelude; jazz; rag; bugle; reprise, reprize, repeat, recapitulate; slur; bang out; modulate; tongue
Broaderre-create
Similar toplay
Nounsplaying
play > verb 7, creation
MeaningPerform music on (a musical instrument).
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
Categorymusic; music
Narrowerregister; skirl; beat; tweedle; chord; pipe; drum; harp; fiddle; trumpet; clarion
Broadersound
Similar toplay
Nounsplaying
play > verb 8, body
MeaningPretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.
PatternSomebody ----s somebody
Examples"She plays deaf when the news are bad"
Synonymsact, act as
Broaderact, behave, do
Similar toact, behave, do; act, play, represent
play > verb 9, motion
MeaningMove or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly.
PatternSomething is ----ing PP
Examples"The spotlights played on the politicians"
Broadertravel, go, move, locomote
Nounsplay
play > verb 10, competition
MeaningBet or wager (money).
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
Narrowerunderplay
Broadergamble
Similar toplay
Nounsplay
play > verb 11, social
MeaningEngage in recreational activities rather than work. Occupy oneself in a diversion.
PatternSomebody ----s
Examples"On weekends I play"
Synonymsrecreate
Similar toplay
Nounsplay; playing
play > verb 12, creation
MeaningPretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Examples"Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
Broadersimulate, assume, sham, feign
Similar toact, play, represent
play > verb 13, creation
MeaningEmit recorded sound.
PatternSomething ----s; Something ----s something
Examples"The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
Broadersound
Similar toplay, run
play > verb 14, creation
MeaningPerform on a certain location.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
Categoryperforming arts
Broaderperform
Similar toact, play, roleplay, playact
Nounsplay; play
play > verb 15, competition
MeaningPut (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"He is playing his cards close to his chest"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
Narrowerpitch; cover; declare
Broaderdeploy
Similar toplay; play
Nounsplay
play > verb 16, body
MeaningEngage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"They played games on their opponents"; "play the stockmarket"; "play with her feelings"
Synonymstoy
Broaderact, behave, do
Nounsplaying
play > verb 17, social
MeaningBehave in a certain way.
PatternSomebody ----s; Something ----s something Adjective/Noun; Somebody ----s Adjective
Examples"play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
Broaderact, move
Similar toplay
play > verb 18, creation
MeaningCause to emit recorded sounds.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s something
ModelSam and Sue play the movie
Examples"Can you play my favorite record?"
Synonymsrun
Similar torun; play; run, execute
play > verb 19, contact
MeaningManipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination.
PatternSomebody ----s PP
Examples"She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
Synonymstoy, fiddle, diddle
Narrowerput out, retire
Broadermanipulate
play > verb 20, consumption
MeaningUse to one's advantage.
PatternSomebody ----s PP
Examples"She plays on her clients' emotions"
Broaderexploit, work
Nounsplay
play > verb 21, cognition
MeaningConsider not very seriously.
PatternSomebody ----s PP
ModelSam wants to play with Sue
Examples"She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
Synonymsdally, trifle
Broaderconsider, take, deal, look at
Similar todally, toy, play, flirt
play > verb 22, stative
MeaningBe received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way.
PatternSomebody ----s
Examples"This speech didn't play well with the American public"; "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
play > verb 23, social
MeaningBehave carelessly or indifferently.
PatternSomebody ----s; Somebody ----s PP
Examples"Play about with a young girl's affection"
Synonymsdally, toy, flirt
Broaderact, move
Similar todally, trifle, play
play > verb 24, motion
MeaningCause to move or operate freely within a bounded space.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Examples"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
Broadermove, displace
Nounsplay
play > verb 25, creation
MeaningPerform on a stage or theater.
PatternSomebody ----s
Examples"She acts in this play"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
Synonymsact, roleplay, playact
Categorydramaturgy, dramatic art, dramatics, theater, theatre
Narrowerstooge; mime, pantomime; overact, ham it up, ham, overplay; underact, underplay
Broaderperform
Similar toplay; play; act, play, represent; act
Nounsplaying; play; player; play
play > verb 26, creation
MeaningBe performed.
PatternSomething ----s; Something is ----ing PP
Examples"What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
Categoryperforming arts
Narrowerdebut
Similar toact, play, roleplay, playact
Nounsplay; play
play > verb 27, creation
MeaningCause to happen or to occur as a consequence.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Examples"play a joke"
Synonymsbring, work, wreak, make for
Broadermake, create
Similar towork, act
play > verb 28, contact
MeaningDischarge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream.
PatternSomething ----s; Somebody ----s something
Examples"play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
Broaderdischarge
play > verb 29, competition
MeaningMake bets.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"Play the reaces"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
Broaderbet, wager, play
Similar toplay; bet, wager, play
Nounsplay
play > verb 30, competition
MeaningStake on the outcome of an issue.
PatternSomebody ----s; Somebody ----s something
Examples"She played all her money on the dark horse"
Synonymsbet, wager
Narrowerbet on, back, gage, stake, game, punt; play; raise; see
Broadergamble
Similar toplay
Nounsplay
play > verb 31, competition
MeaningShoot or hit in a particular manner.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"She played a good backhand last night"
Narrowerhook
Broaderhit
Similar tomeet, encounter, play, take on
Nounsplay
play > verb 32, competition
MeaningUse or move.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"I had to play my queen"
Narrowerpromote
Broaderuse, utilize, utilise, apply, employ
Similar tomeet, encounter, play, take on; play
Nounsplay
play > verb 33, competition
MeaningEmploy in a game or in a specific position.
PatternSomebody ----s somebody
Examples"They played him on first base"
Broaderuse, utilize, utilise, apply, employ
Similar tomeet, encounter, play, take on; play
Nounsplay
play > verb 34, competition
MeaningContend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle.
PatternSomebody ----s somebody
ModelSam and Sue play; Sam cannot play Sue
Examples"Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"
Synonymsmeet, encounter, take on
Entailscompete, vie, contend
Narrowerconfront, face; replay
Similar toplay; play; play; play
Nounsplay; playing
play > verb 35, body
MeaningExhaust by allowing to pull on the line.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples"play a hooked fish"
Broaderexhaust, wash up, beat, tucker, tucker out

© 2001-04 · HyperDic hyper-dictionary · Contact us