play (HyperDic hyper-dictionary)

English > 52 senses of the word *play*:
VERB	competition	play	participate in games / games or sport
social	play	act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
creation	play	play on an instrument
creation	play, act, represent	play a role or part
social	play	be at play
creation	play, spiel	replay (as a melody)
creation	play	perform music on (a musical instrument)
body	play, act, act as	pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
motion	play	move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
competition	play	bet or wager (money)
social	play, recreate	engage in recreational activities rather than work
creation	play	pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game / game or playful activity
creation	play	emit recorded sound
creation	play	perform on a certain location
competition	play	put (a card or piece) into play during a game / game / game, or act strategically as if in a card game
body	play, toy	engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
social	play	behave in a certain way
creation	play, run	cause to emit recorded audio or video
contact	play, toy, fiddle, diddle	manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
consumption	play	use to one's advantage
cognition	play, dally, trifle	consider not very seriously
stative	play	be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
social	play, dally, toy, flirt	behave carelessly or indifferently
motion	play	cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
creation	play, act, roleplay, playact	perform on a stage or theater
creation	play	be performed or presented for public viewing
creation	play, bring, work, wreak, make for	cause to happen / happen or to occur as a consequence
contact	play	discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
competition	play	make bets
competition	play, bet, wager	stake on the outcome of an issue
competition	play	shoot or hit in a particular manner
competition	play	use or move
competition	play	employ in a game / game or in a specific position
competition	play, meet, encounter, take on	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle
body	play	exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
NOUN	communication	play, drama, dramatic play	a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
communication	play	a theatrical performance of a drama / drama
act	play	a preset plan of action in team sports
act	play, maneuver, manoeuvre	a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
state	play	a state in which action is feasible
act	play	utilization or exercise
act	play, bid	an attempt to get something
act	play, child's play	activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
time	play, playing period, period of play	(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
state	play, free rein	the removal of constraints / constraints
event	play, shimmer	a weak and tremulous light
communication	play, fun, sport	verbal / verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
attribute	play, looseness	movement or space for movement
act	play, frolic, romp, gambol, caper	gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
act	play, turn	(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession / succession
act	play, gambling, gaming	the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
act	play, swordplay	the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

play > pronunciation
Sounds	pley'
Rhymes	AAA ... waylay: 40 rhymes with ley...

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 1, communication
Meaning	A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage.
Example	"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
Synonyms	drama, dramatic play
Category	drama	The literary genre of works intended for the theater
Parts	act	A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Parts	stage direction	An instruction written as part of the script of a play
Narrower	Grand Guignol	A play of a macabre or horrific nature
	Passion play	A play representing the Passion of Christ
	miracle play	A medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr / martyr
	morality play	An allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries
	mystery play	A medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ
	playlet	A short / short play
	satyr play	An ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs
	theater of the absurd	Plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless
Broader	dramatic composition, dramatic work	A play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
Spanish	drama, obra teatral
Catalan	drama
Nouns	playlet	a short / short play
Verbs	play	play a role or part
	play	perform on a certain location
	play	be performed or presented for public viewing
	play	perform on a stage or theater

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 2, communication
Meaning	A theatrical performance of a drama / drama.
Example	"the play lasted two hours"
Narrower	curtain raiser	A short / short play presented before the main play
Narrower	musical, musical comedy, musical theater	A play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing
Broader	show	A social event involving a public performance or entertainment
Spanish	obra
Catalan	obra
Nouns	playlet	a short / short play
Verbs	play	play a role or part
	play	perform on a certain location
	play	be performed or presented for public viewing
	play	perform on a stage or theater

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 3, act
Meaning	A preset plan of action in team sports.
Example	"the coach drew up the plays for her team"
Narrower	basketball play	A play executed by a basketball team
	football play	(American football) a play by the offensive team
	knock on	(rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul)
	power play	(ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties
	razzle-dazzle, razzle, razzmatazz, razmataz	Any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle / dazzle) the opponent
Broader	plan of action	A plan for actively doing something
Spanish	jugada
Catalan	jugada, plan
Verbs	play	participate in games / games or sport
	play	employ in a game / game or in a specific position
	play	use or move

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 4, act
Meaning	A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill.
Example	"the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
Synonyms	maneuver, manoeuvre
Part of	athletic game	A game / game involving athletic activity
Narrower	assist	(sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play
	ball hawking	A skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing team
	baseball play	(baseball) a play executed by a baseball team
	completion, pass completion	(American football) a successful forward pass in football
	figure	A predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
	footwork	The manner of using the feet
	icing, icing the puck	(ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goal
	jugglery	The performance of a juggler
	mousetrap, trap play	(American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated
	obstruction	Getting in someone's way
	safety blitz, linebacker blitzing, blitz	(American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line
	stroke, shot	(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
	takeaway	The act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass)
Broader	motion, movement, move	The act of changing location from one place to another
Spanish	maniobra
Catalan	maniobra
Verbs	play	shoot or hit in a particular manner
Verbs	play	use to one's advantage

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 5, state
Meaning	A state in which action is feasible.
Examples	"the ball was still in play" "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
Broader	action, activity, activeness	The state of being active
Spanish	juego
Verbs	play	act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 6, act
Meaning	utilization or exercise.
Example	"the play of the imagination"
Broader	use, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise	The act of using
Spanish	obra
Verbs	play	act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 7, act
Meaning	An attempt to get something.
Example	"they made a futile play for power"
Synonym	bid
Broader	attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try	earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish / accomplish something

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 8, act
Meaning	Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules.
Example	"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
Synonym	child's play
Narrower	doctor	children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office
	fireman	Play in which children pretend to put out a fire
	house	Play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults
Broader	diversion, recreation	An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates / stimulates
Spanish	juego de niños
Catalan	joc de nens
Verbs	play	be at play

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 9, time
Meaning	(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds.
Example	"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
Synonyms	playing period, period of play
Category	game	A contest with rules to determine a winner
Part of	athletic game	A game / game involving athletic activity
Parts	chukker, chukka	(polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is divided
	final period	The final division into which the play of a game is divided
	first period	The first division into which the play of a game is divided
	half	One of two divisions into which some games / games or performances are divided
	inning, frame	(baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat
	over	(cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
	period	(ice hockey) one of three divisions into which play is divided in hockey games
	quarter	(football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games / games are divided
	second period	The second division into which the play of a game is divided
	turn, bout, round	(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
Narrower	hole, golf hole	One playing period (from tee to green) on a golf course
Narrower	set	A unit of play in tennis or squash
Broader	measure, quantity, amount	How much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
Verbs	play	participate in games / games or sport
Verbs	play	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 10, state
Meaning	The removal of constraints / constraints.
Example	"they gave full play to the artist's talent"
Synonym	free rein
Broader	freedom	The condition of being free

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 11, event
Meaning	A weak and tremulous light.
Example	"the play of light on the water"
Synonym	shimmer
Broader	change, alteration, modification	An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
Spanish	reflejo, reverbero
Catalan	reflex
Verbs	play	move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 12, communication
Meaning	verbal / verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously).
Synonyms	fun, sport
Narrower	drollery, clowning, comedy, funniness	A comic incident or series of incidents
	jocosity, jocularity	fun characterized by humor
	pun, punning, wordplay, paronomasia	A humorous play on words
	waggery, waggishness	waggish behavior
Broader	wit, humor, humour, witticism, wittiness	A message whose ingenuity / ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
Spanish	cachondeo, coña, guasa
Catalan	befa, broma, conya

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 13, attribute
Meaning	movement or space for movement.
Example	"there was too much play in the steering wheel"
Synonym	looseness
Narrower	slack, slackness	The quality of being loose (not taut)
Narrower	wiggliness	A jerky back and forth kind of mobility
Broader	movability, movableness	The quality of being movable / movable
Opposite	tightness, tautness	lack of movement or room for movement
Spanish	amplitud, holgura, soltura
Catalan	amplitud, deseiximent, folga, folgança, soltesa
Verbs	play	cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 14, act
Meaning	gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement.
Example	"it was all done in play"
Synonyms	frolic, romp, gambol, caper
Narrower	flirt, flirting, flirtation, coquetry, dalliance, toying	playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
	folly, foolery, tomfoolery, craziness, lunacy, indulgence	foolish or senseless behavior
	game	frivolous or trifling behavior
	horseplay	rowdy or boisterous play
	teasing	playful vexation
	word play	Playing on words or speech sounds
Broader	diversion, recreation	An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates / stimulates
Spanish	retozar, retozo, travesura
Catalan	entremaliadura
Verbs	play	engage in recreational activities rather than work
Verbs	play	be at play

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 15, act
Meaning	(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession / succession.
Example	"it is still my play"
Synonym	turn
Category	game	A contest with rules to determine a winner
Narrower	attack	An offensive move in a sport or game / game / game
	bat, at-bat	(baseball) a turn trying to get a hit
	down	(American football) a complete play to advance the football
	innings	The batting turn of a cricket player or team
	lead	The playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
	move	(game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game
	ruff, trumping	(card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit
	start, starting	A turn to be a starter (in a game / game / game at the beginning)
	trick	(card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players
Broader	activity	Any specific behavior
Catalan	torn

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 16, act
Meaning	The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize).
Example	"there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
Synonyms	gambling, gaming
Narrower	bet, wager	The act of gambling
	game of chance, gambling game	A game / game that involves gambling
	sporting life	active interest in gambling on sports events
	throw	Casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly
Broader	diversion, recreation	An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates / stimulates
Broader	vice	A specific form of evildoing
Spanish	apuesta, juego
Catalan	aposta, joc d'aposta, joc
Verbs	play	bet or wager (money)
	play	put (a card or piece) into play during a game / game / game, or act strategically as if in a card game
	play	make bets
	play	stake on the outcome of an issue

English > *play*: 52 senses > noun 17, act
Meaning	The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully.
Synonym	swordplay
Narrower	fencing	The art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules)
Broader	action	Something done (usually as opposed to something said)

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 1, competition
Meaning	participate in games / games or sport.
Pattern	Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something
Examples	"We played hockey all afternoon" "play cards" "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
Entailed by	move, go	Have a turn
Entailed by	tie, draw	Finish a game / game / game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.
Narrower	ace	Play (a hole) in one stroke
	backstop	act as a backstop
	bandy	toss or strike a ball back and forth
	bid, call	make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
	bowl	Engage in the sport of bowling
	catch	Be the catcher
	complete, nail	complete a pass
	cradle	Run with the stick
	cricket	Play cricket
	croquet	Play a game / game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops
	curl	Play the Scottish game / game of curling
	develop	Move into a strategically more advantageous position
	develop	Move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions
	die	To be on base at the end of an inning, of a player
	exit	Lose the lead
	face off, bully off	start a game / game / game by a face-off
	field	Play as a fielder / fielder
	foul	commit a foul
	fullback	Play the fullback
	fumble	Drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
	gamble	Play games / games for money
	golf	Play golf
	line up	Take one's position before a kick-off
	misplay	Play wrong or in an unskillful manner
	play out	Play to a finish
	put out	Retire
	putt	hit a putt
	quarterback	Play the quarterback
	replay	Play again
	revoke	fail to follow suit when able and required to do so
	snooker	Leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot
	start	Play in the starting lineup
	tee off	strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a hole
	teeter-totter, teetertotter, seesaw	ride on a plank
	unblock	Play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holding
	volley	make a volley
	walk	Give a base on balls to
Broader	compete, vie, contend	compete for something
See also	play out	play to a finish
Similar to	meet, encounter, play, take on	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle
Spanish	jugar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, tocar
Participle	played	(of games / games / games) engaged in
Nouns	play	a preset plan of action in team sports
	play	(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
	player	a person who participates in or is skilled at some game / game
	playing	the action of taking part in a game / game / game or sport or other recreation

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 2, social
Meaning	Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.
Pattern	Somebody ----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"
Broader	act, move	Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Similar to	play	Behave in a certain way
Nouns	play	utilization or exercise
Nouns	play	a state in which action is feasible

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 3, creation
Meaning	Play on an instrument.
Pattern	Something ----s; Somebody ----s
Model	Sam and Sue play
Example	"The band played all night long"
Category	music	An artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
Narrower	bow	Play on a string instrument with a bow
	busk	Play music in a public place and solicit money for it
	play along, accompany, follow	Perform an accompaniment to
	sound off, strike up	start playing
	swing	Play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm
	symphonize, symphonise	Play or sound together, in harmony / harmony
Broader	perform	Give a performance (of something)
Similar to	play, spiel	replay (as a melody)
Similar to	play	Perform music on (a musical instrument)
Spanish	jugar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, representar, tocar
Nouns	player	someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
Nouns	playing	the act of playing a musical instrument

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 4, creation
Meaning	Play a role or part.
Pattern	Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody
Examples	"Gielgud played Hamlet" "She played the servant to her husband's master"
Synonyms	act, represent
Category	performing arts	arts or skills that require public performance
Entailed by	enter	Come on stage
Narrower	act out	represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage
	emote	Give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
	enact, reenact, act out	act out
	impersonate, portray	assume or act the character of
	make, pretend, make believe	represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like
	parody	make a spoof of or make fun of
	support	Play a subordinate role to (another performer)
Broader	re-create	create anew
Similar to	act, play, act as	pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
	act, play, roleplay, playact	Perform on a stage or theater
	play	pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game / game or playful activity
Spanish	interpretar, jugar, representar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, representar, tocar
Nouns	play	a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
	play	a theatrical performance of a drama / drama
	player	a theatrical performer
	playing	the performance of a part or role in a drama

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 5, social
Meaning	Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children.
Pattern	Somebody ----s
Examples	"The kids were playing outside all day" "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
Narrower	dabble, paddle, splash around	Play in or as if in water, as of small children
	frolic, lark, rollick, skylark, disport, sport, cavort, gambol, frisk, romp, run around, lark about	Play boisterously
	horse around, arse around, fool around, fool	indulge in horseplay
	roughhouse	Engage in rough or disorderly play
Broader	act	Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Similar to	play, recreate	Engage in recreational activities rather than work
Spanish	jugar
Catalan	jugar
Nouns	play	gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
	play	activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
	playing	the action of taking part in a game / game / game or sport or other recreation

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 6, creation
Meaning	replay (as a melody).
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Model	They will play the duet
Examples	"Play it again, Sam" "She played the third movement very beautifully"
Synonym	spiel
Entailed by	pedal	operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument
Narrower	bang out	Play loudly
	bugle	Play on a bugle
	fiddle	Play on a violin
	jazz	Play something in the style of jazz
	misplay	Play incorrectly, e.g., play a wrong note
	modulate	change the key of, in music
	prelude	Play as a prelude
	rag	Play in ragtime
	replay	Play (a melody) again
	reprise, reprize, repeat, recapitulate	repeat an earlier theme of a composition
	riff	Play riffs
	slur	Play smoothly or legato
	tongue	articulate by tonguing, as when playing wind instruments
Broader	re-create	create anew
Similar to	play	Play on an instrument
Spanish	ejecutar, hablar largamente, interpretar, jugar, tocar
Catalan	executar, interpretar, jugar, tocar
Nouns	playing	the act of playing a musical instrument

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 7, creation
Meaning	Perform music on (a musical instrument).
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Examples	"He plays the flute" "Can you play on this old recorder?"
Category	music	musical activity (singing / singing / singing or whistling etc.)
Category	music	An artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
Narrower	beat	produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly
	chord	Play chords on (a string instrument)
	clarion	blow the clarion
	drum	Play a percussion instrument
	fiddle	Play the violin or fiddle
	harp	Play the harp
	pipe	Play on a pipe
	register	manipulate the registers of an organ
	skirl	Play the bagpipes
	trumpet	Play or blow on the trumpet
	tweedle	Play negligently on a musical instrument
Broader	sound	Cause to sound
Similar to	play	Play on an instrument
Spanish	aprovecharse de, jugar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, representar, tocar
Nouns	playing	the act of playing a musical instrument

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 8, body
Meaning	pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.
Pattern	Somebody ----s somebody
Example	"She plays deaf when the news are bad"
Synonyms	act, act as
Broader	act, behave, do	Behave in a certain manner
Similar to	act, behave, do	Behave in a certain manner
Similar to	act, play, represent	Play a role or part
Spanish	comportarse, hacer ver, simular
Catalan	fer veure, portar-se, simular

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 9, motion
Meaning	Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly.
Pattern	Something is ----ing PP
Example	"The spotlights played on the politicians"
Broader	travel, go, move, locomote	change location
Spanish	jugar
Nouns	play	a weak and tremulous light

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 10, competition
Meaning	bet or wager (money).
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Examples	"He played $20 on the new horse" "She plays the races"
Narrower	underplay	Play a card lower than (a held high card)
Broader	gamble	Play games / games for money
Similar to	play	make bets
Spanish	jugarse
Nouns	play	the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 11, social
Meaning	Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion.
Pattern	Somebody ----s
Example	"On weekends I play"
Synonym	recreate
Similar to	play	Be at play
Spanish	divertirse, entretenerse, recrearse
Catalan	divertir-se, entretenir-se, esbargir-se
Nouns	play	gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Nouns	playing	the action of taking part in a game / game / game or sport or other recreation

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 12, creation
Meaning	pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game / game or playful activity.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Examples	"Let's play like I am mommy" "Play cowboy and Indians"
Broader	simulate, assume, sham, feign	make a pretence of
Similar to	act, play, represent	Play a role or part
Spanish	hacer de

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 13, creation
Meaning	emit recorded sound.
Pattern	Something ----s; Something ----s something
Examples	"The tape was playing for hours" "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
Broader	sound	give ... / give off a certain sound or sounds
Similar to	play, run	Cause to emit recorded audio or video
Spanish	jugar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, tocar

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 14, creation
Meaning	Perform on a certain location.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Examples	"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16" "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
Category	performing arts	arts or skills that require public performance
Broader	perform	Give a performance (of something)
Similar to	act, play, roleplay, playact	Perform on a stage or theater
Spanish	tocar
Nouns	play	a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Nouns	play	a theatrical performance of a drama / drama

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 15, competition
Meaning	put (a card or piece) into play during a game / game / game, or act strategically as if in a card game.
Pattern	Somebody ----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"
Narrower	cover	Play a higher card than the one previously played
	declare	designate (a trump suit or no-trump) with the final bid of a hand
	pitch	Lead (a card) and establish the trump suit
Broader	deploy	place troops / troops or weapons in battle formation
Similar to	play	employ in a game / game or in a specific position
Similar to	play	Use or move
Spanish	poner en juego
Catalan	posar en joc
Nouns	play	the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 16, body
Meaning	Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Examples	"They played games on their opponents" "play the stock market" "play with her feelings"
Synonym	toy
Broader	act, behave, do	Behave in a certain manner
Spanish	jugar
Catalan	jugar
Nouns	playing	the action of taking part in a game / game / game or sport or other recreation

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 17, social
Meaning	Behave in a certain way.
Pattern	Somebody ----s; Something ----s something Adjective/Noun; Somebody ----s Adjective
Examples	"play safe" "play it safe" "play fair"
Broader	act, move	Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Similar to	play	Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 18, creation
Meaning	Cause to emit recorded audio or video.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Model	Sam and Sue play the movie
Examples	"I'll play you my favorite record" "He never tires of playing that video"
Synonym	run
Similar to	play	emit recorded sound
	run	Cause to perform
	run, execute	carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
Spanish	jugar, poner, tocar
Catalan	jugar, posar, tocar

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 19, contact
Meaning	manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination.
Pattern	Somebody ----s PP
Examples	"She played nervously with her wedding ring" "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
Synonyms	toy, fiddle, diddle
Narrower	put out, retire	Cause to be out on a fielding play
Broader	manipulate	hold something in one's hands and move it
Spanish	jugar, juguetear

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 20, consumption
Meaning	Use to one's advantage.
Pattern	Somebody ----s PP
Example	"She plays on her clients' emotions"
Broader	exploit, work	Use or manipulate to one's advantage
Nouns	play	a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 21, cognition
Meaning	Consider not very seriously.
Pattern	Somebody ----s PP
Model	Sam wants to play with Sue
Example	"She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
Synonyms	dally, trifle
Broader	consider, take, deal, look at	Take into consideration for exemplifying purposes
Similar to	dally, toy, play, flirt	Behave carelessly or indifferently

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 22, stative
Meaning	Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way.
Pattern	Somebody ----s
Examples	"This speech didn't play well with the American public" "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
Spanish	interpretar
Catalan	interpretar

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 23, social
Meaning	Behave carelessly or indifferently.
Pattern	Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s PP
Example	"Play about with a young girl's affection"
Synonyms	dally, toy, flirt
Broader	act, move	Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Similar to	dally, trifle, play	Consider not very seriously
Spanish	coquetear, flirtear

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 24, motion
Meaning	Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Example	"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
Broader	move, displace	Cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense
Nouns	play	movement or space for movement

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 25, creation
Meaning	Perform on a stage or theater.
Pattern	Somebody ----s
Examples	"She acts in this play" "I played in 'A Christmas Carol'"
Synonyms	act, roleplay, playact
Category	dramaturgy, dramatic art, dramatics, theater, theatre	The art of writing and producing plays
Narrower	mime, pantomime	act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
	overact, ham it up, ham, overplay	exaggerate one's acting
	stooge	act as the stooge
	underact, underplay	Act (a role) with great restraint
Broader	perform	Give a performance (of something)
Similar to	act, play, represent	Play a role or part
	act	Be suitable for theatrical performance
	play	Perform on a certain location
	play	Be performed or presented for public viewing
Spanish	actuar, interpretar, jugar, representar, tocar
Catalan	actuar, interpretar, jugar, representar, tocar
Nouns	play	a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
	play	a theatrical performance of a drama / drama
	player	a theatrical performer
	playing	the performance of a part or role in a drama

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 26, creation
Meaning	Be performed or presented for public viewing.
Pattern	Something ----s; Something is ----ing PP
Examples	"What's playing in the local movie theater?" "'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
Category	performing arts	arts or skills that require public performance
Narrower	debut	Appear for the first time in public
Similar to	act, play, roleplay, playact	Perform on a stage or theater
Spanish	jugar, representar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, representar, tocar
Nouns	play	a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Nouns	play	a theatrical performance of a drama / drama

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 27, creation
Meaning	Cause to happen / happen or to occur as a consequence.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Example	"play a joke"
Synonyms	bring, work, wreak, make for
Broader	make, create	make or cause to be or to become
Similar to	work, act	Have an effect or outcome
Spanish	provocar, traer

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 28, contact
Meaning	Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream.
Pattern	Something ----s; Somebody ----s something
Examples	"play water from a hose" "The fountains played all day"
Broader	discharge	pour forth or release

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 29, competition
Meaning	make bets.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Examples	"Play the races" "play the casinos in Trouville"
Broader	bet, wager, play	stake on the outcome of an issue
Similar to	bet, wager, play	stake on the outcome of an issue
Similar to	play	bet or wager (money)
Spanish	apostar, jugar, tocar
Catalan	jugar, tocar
Nouns	play	the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 30, competition
Meaning	stake on the outcome of an issue.
Pattern	Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something
Example	"She played all her money on the dark horse"
Synonyms	bet, wager
Narrower	bet on, back, gage, stake, game, punt	place a bet on
	play	make bets
	raise	bet more than the previous player
	see	match or meet
Broader	gamble	Play games / games for money
Similar to	play	make bets
Spanish	apostar, hacer una apuesta, jugarse
Catalan	apostar
Nouns	play	the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 31, competition
Meaning	Shoot or hit in a particular manner.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Example	"She played a good backhand last night"
Narrower	hook	Secure with the foot
Broader	hit	Cause to move by striking
Similar to	meet, encounter, play, take on	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle
Nouns	play	a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 32, competition
Meaning	Use or move.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Example	"I had to play my queen"
Narrower	promote	change a pawn for a better piece by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it to the row closest to your opponent
Broader	use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ	put into service
Similar to	meet, encounter, play, take on	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle
Similar to	play	put (a card or piece) into play during a game / game / game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Nouns	play	a preset plan of action in team sports

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 33, competition
Meaning	employ in a game / game or in a specific position.
Pattern	Somebody ----s somebody
Example	"They played him on first base"
Broader	use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ	put into service
Similar to	meet, encounter, play, take on	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle
Similar to	play	put (a card or piece) into play during a game / game / game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Nouns	play	a preset plan of action in team sports

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 34, competition
Meaning	contend against an opponent in a sport, game / game, or battle.
Pattern	Somebody ----s somebody
Model	Sam and Sue play; Sam cannot play Sue
Examples	"Princeton plays Yale this weekend" "Charlie likes to play Mary"
Synonyms	meet, encounter, take on
Entails	compete, vie, contend	compete for something
Narrower	confront, face	Oppose, as in hostility or a competition
Narrower	replay	repeat a game / game / game against the same opponent
Similar to	play	participate in games / games or sport
	play	Shoot or hit in a particular manner
	play	employ in a game / game or in a specific position
	play	Use or move
Spanish	enfrentarse, enfrentar, jugar
Catalan	enfrontar-se, jugar
Nouns	play	(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Nouns	playing	the action of taking part in a game / game / game or sport or other recreation

English > *play*: 52 senses > verb 35, body
Meaning	Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something
Example	"play a hooked fish"
Broader	exhaust, wash up, beat, tucker, tucker out	wear out completely

HyperDic: play