"play" | Definition and Related Words

play

Noun

A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage (synset 107021061)
"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

referred to in: drama - the literary genre of works intended for the theater

is a type of: dramatic composition, dramatic work - a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
subtypes:
- grand guignol - a play of a macabre or horrific nature
- theater of the absurd - plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless
- playlet - a short play
- miracle play - a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr
- morality play - an allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries; characters personified virtues and vices
- mystery play - a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ
- passion play - a play representing the Passion of Christ
- satyr play - an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs
has:
- stage direction - an instruction written as part of the script of a play
- act - a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
same as: drama, dramatic play
A theatrical performance of a drama (synset 107032045)
"the play lasted two hours"

is a type of: show - a social event involving a public performance or entertainment
subtypes:
- musical, musical comedy, musical theater - a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing
- curtain raiser - a short play presented before the main play
A preset plan of action in team sports (synset 100558625)
"the coach drew up the plays for her team"

is a type of: plan of action - a plan for actively doing something
subtypes:
- 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
- football play - (American football) a play by the offensive team
- razmataz, razzle, razzle-dazzle, razzmatazz - any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent
- basketball play - a play executed by a basketball team
A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill (synset 100557350)
"he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

is a type of: motion, move, movement - the act of changing location from one place to another
subtypes:
- takeaway - the act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass)
- figure - a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
- completion, pass completion - (American football) a successful forward pass in football
- ball hawking - a skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing team
- assist - (sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play
- 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
- obstruction - getting in someone's way
- baseball play - (baseball) a play executed by a baseball team
- footwork - the manner of using the feet
- shot, stroke - (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
- blitz, linebacker blitzing, safety blitz - (American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line
- 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
is a part of: athletic game - a game involving athletic activity

same as: maneuver, manoeuvre
A state in which action is feasible (synset 114033234)
"the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"

is a type of: action, activeness, activity - the state of being active
Utilization or exercise (synset 100949412)
"the play of the imagination"

is a type of: employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization - the act of using
An attempt to get something (synset 100788541)
"they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"

is a type of: attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

same as: bid
Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules (synset 100432833)
"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

is a type of: diversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
subtypes:
- house - play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults
- 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
same as: child's play
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds (synset 115281726)
"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

referred to in: game - a contest with rules to determine a winner

is a type of: amount, measure, quantity - how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
subtypes:
- golf hole, hole - one playing period (from tee to green) on a golf course
- set - a unit of play in tennis or squash
has:
- chukka, chukker - (polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is divided
- frame, inning - (baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat
- bout, round, turn - (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
- first period - the first division into which the play of a game is divided
- second period - the second division into which the play of a game is divided
- final period - the final division into which the play of a game is divided
- half - one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval
- 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 are divided
- 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
is a part of: athletic game - a game involving athletic activity

same as: period of play, playing period
The removal of constraints (synset 114017327)
"he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"

is a type of: freedom - the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints

same as: free rein
A weak and tremulous light (synset 107426451)
"the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"

is a type of: alteration, change, modification - an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

same as: shimmer
Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) (synset 106793739)
"he became a figure of fun"; "he said it in sport"

is a type of: humor, humour, wit, witticism, wittiness - a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
subtypes:
- jocosity, jocularity - fun characterized by humor
- waggery, waggishness - waggish behavior
- clowning, comedy, drollery, funniness - a comic incident or series of incidents
- paronomasia, pun, punning, wordplay - a humorous play on words
same as: fun, sport
Movement or space for movement (synset 104781750)
"there was too much play in the steering wheel"

is a type of: movability, movableness - the quality of being movable; capable of being moved or rearranged
subtypes:
- wiggliness - a jerky back and forth kind of mobility
- slack, slackness - the quality of being loose (not taut)
same as: looseness
Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement (synset 100512828)
"it was all done in play"; "their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"

is a type of: diversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
subtypes:
- coquetry, dalliance, flirt, flirtation, flirting, toying - playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
- craziness, folly, foolery, indulgence, lunacy, tomfoolery - 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
same as: caper, frolic, gambol, romp
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession (synset 100458406)
"it is my turn"; "it is still my play"

referred to in: game - a contest with rules to determine a winner

is a type of: activity - any specific behavior
subtypes:
- move - (game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game
- start, starting - a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)
- innings - the batting turn of a cricket player or team
- attack - an offensive move in a sport or game
- down - (American football) a complete play to advance the football
- at-bat, bat - (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit
- lead - the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
- ruff, trumping - (card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit
- trick - (card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner
same as: turn
The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) (synset 100431125)
"his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
is a type of:
- diversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
- vice - a specific form of evildoing
subtypes:
- sporting life - active interest in gambling on sports events
- bet, wager - the act of gambling
- gambling game, game of chance - a game that involves gambling
- throw - casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly
same as: gambling, gaming
The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully (synset 100042206)
is a type of: action - something done (usually as opposed to something said)

subtypes: 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)

same as: swordplay

Verb

Participate in games or sport (synset 201075360)
"We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"

is a type of: compete, contend, vie - compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
subtypes:
- line up - take one's position before a kick-off
- curl - play the Scottish game of curling
- snooker - leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot
- revoke - fail to follow suit when able and required to do so
- 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
- misplay - play wrong or in an unskillful manner
- start - play in the starting lineup
- fumble - drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
- volley - make a volley
- 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
- replay - play again
- cricket - play cricket
- backstop - act as a backstop
- fullback - play the fullback
- quarterback - play the quarterback
- cradle - run with the stick
- exit - lose the lead
- play out - play to a finish
- field - play as a fielder
- catch - be the catcher
- bully off, face off - start a game by a face-off
- tee off - strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a hole
- ace - play (a hole) in one stroke
- complete, nail - complete a pass
- gamble - play games for money
- walk - give a base on balls to
- bowl - engage in the sport of bowling
- golf - play golf
- bandy - toss or strike a ball back and forth
- foul - commit a foul; break the rules
- put out - retire
- croquet - play a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops
- putt - hit a putt
- seesaw, teeter-totter, teetertotter - ride on a plank
- bid, call - make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
verb group: encounter, meet, play, take on - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome (synset 202375741)
"This factor played only a minor part in his decision"; "This development played into her hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"

is a type of: act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

verb group: play - behave in a certain way
Play on an instrument (synset 201728928)
"The band played all night long"

referred to in: music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

is a type of: perform - give a performance (of something)
subtypes:
- sound off, strike up - start playing
- swing - play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm
- symphonise, symphonize - play or sound together, in harmony
- accompany, follow, play along - perform an accompaniment to
- bow - play on a stringed instrument with a bow
- busk - play music in a public place and solicit money for it
verb group:
- play, spiel - replay (as a melody)
- play - perform music on (a musical instrument)
Play a role or part (synset 201723161)
"Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"

referred to in: performing arts - arts or skills that require public performance

is a type of: re-create - create anew
subtypes:
- make, make believe, pretend - represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like
- support - play a subordinate role to (another performer)
- act out, enact, reenact - act out; represent or perform as if in a play
- act out - represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage
- impersonate, portray - assume or act the character of
- parody - make a spoof of or make fun of
- emote - give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
same as: act, represent
verb group:
- act, act as, play - pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
- act, play, playact, roleplay - perform on a stage or theater
- play - pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Be at play;
Be engaged in playful activity;
Amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children (synset 202423786)
"The kids were playing outside all day"; "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"

is a type of: act - be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
subtypes:
- roughhouse - engage in rough or disorderly play
- arse around, fool, fool around, horse around - indulge in horseplay
- cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, lark about, rollick, romp, run around, skylark, sport - play boisterously
- dabble, paddle, splash around - play in or as if in water, as of small children
verb group: play, recreate - engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Replay (as a melody) (synset 201728336)
"Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"

is a type of: re-create - create anew
subtypes:
- riff - play riffs
- misplay - play incorrectly, e.g., play a wrong note
- fiddle - play on a violin
- replay - play (a melody) again
- prelude - play as a prelude
- jazz - play something in the style of jazz
- rag - play in ragtime
- bugle - play on a bugle
- recapitulate, repeat, reprise, reprize - repeat an earlier theme of a composition
- slur - play smoothly or legato
- bang out - play loudly
- modulate - change the key of, in music
- tongue - articulate by tonguing, as when playing wind instruments
same as: spiel

verb group: play - play on an instrument
Perform music on (a musical instrument) (synset 201730049)
"He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
referred to in:
- music - musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)
- music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
is a type of: sound - cause to sound
subtypes:
- register - manipulate the registers of an organ
- skirl - play the bagpipes
- beat - produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly
- tweedle - play negligently on a musical instrument
- chord - play chords on (a stringed instrument)
- pipe - play on a pipe
- drum - play a percussion instrument
- harp - play the harp
- fiddle - play the violin or fiddle
- trumpet - play or blow on the trumpet
- clarion - blow the clarion
verb group: play - play on an instrument
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind (synset 200013608)
"He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

is a type of: act, behave, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

same as: act, act as
verb group:
- act, behave, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
- act, play, represent - play a role or part
Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly (synset 201907378)
"The spotlights played on the politicians"

is a type of: go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
Bet or wager (money) (synset 201141337)
"He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"

is a type of: gamble - play games for money

subtypes: underplay - play a card lower than (a held high card)

verb group: play - make bets
Engage in recreational activities rather than work;
Occupy oneself in a diversion (synset 202423521)
"On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"

same as: recreate

verb group: play - be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity (synset 201725954)
"Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"

is a type of: assume, feign, sham, simulate - make a pretence of

verb group: act, play, represent - play a role or part
Emit recorded sound (synset 201721295)
"The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"

is a type of: sound - give off a certain sound or sounds

verb group: play, run - cause to emit recorded audio or video
Perform on a certain location (synset 201720478)
"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"

referred to in: performing arts - arts or skills that require public performance

is a type of: perform - give a performance (of something)

verb group: act, play, playact, roleplay - perform on a stage or theater
Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game (synset 201151936)
"He is playing his cards close to his chest"; "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"

is a type of: deploy - place troops or weapons in battle formation
subtypes:
- pitch - lead (a card) and establish the trump suit
- 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
verb group:
- play - employ in a game or in a specific position
- play - use or move
Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously (synset 200013321)
"They played games on their opponents"; "play the stock market"; "play with her feelings"; "toy with an idea"

is a type of: act, behave, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

same as: toy
Behave in a certain way (synset 202603598)
"play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"

is a type of: act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

verb group: play - act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Cause to emit recorded audio or video (synset 201721028)
"They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"

same as: run
verb group:
- run - cause to perform
- play - emit recorded sound
- execute, run - carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination (synset 201589199)
"She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"

is a type of: manipulate - hold something in one's hands and move it

subtypes: put out, retire - cause to be out on a fielding play

same as: diddle, fiddle, toy
Use to one's advantage (synset 201165671)
"She plays on her clients' emotions"

is a type of: exploit, work - use or manipulate to one's advantage
Consider not very seriously (synset 200713761)
"He is trifling with her"; "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"

is a type of: consider, deal, look at, take - take into consideration for exemplifying purposes

same as: dally, trifle

verb group: dally, flirt, play, toy - behave carelessly or indifferently
Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way (synset 202728324)
"This speech didn't play well with the American public"; "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
Behave carelessly or indifferently (synset 202442312)
"Play about with a young girl's affection"

is a type of: act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

same as: dally, flirt, toy

verb group: dally, play, trifle - consider not very seriously
Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space (synset 201907555)
"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

is a type of: displace, move - cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense
Perform on a stage or theater (synset 201723780)
"She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

referred to in: dramatic art, dramatics, dramaturgy, theater, theatre - the art of writing and producing plays

is a type of: perform - give a performance (of something)
subtypes:
- stooge - act as the stooge
- mime, pantomime - act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
- ham, ham it up, overact, overplay - exaggerate one's acting
- underact, underplay - act (a role) with great restraint
same as: act, playact, roleplay
verb group:
- play - perform on a certain location
- play - be performed or presented for public viewing
- act, play, represent - play a role or part
- act - be suitable for theatrical performance
Be performed or presented for public viewing (synset 201720741)
"What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"

referred to in: performing arts - arts or skills that require public performance

subtypes: debut - appear for the first time in public

verb group: act, play, playact, roleplay - perform on a stage or theater
Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence (synset 201632781)
"I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"

is a type of: create, make - make or cause to be or to become

same as: bring, make for, work, wreak

verb group: act, work - have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream (synset 201379904)
"play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"

is a type of: discharge - pour forth or release
Make bets (synset 201158581)
"Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"

is a type of: bet, play, wager - stake on the outcome of an issue
verb group:
- play - bet or wager (money)
- bet, play, wager - stake on the outcome of an issue
Stake on the outcome of an issue (synset 201158153)
"I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"

is a type of: gamble - play games for money
subtypes:
- back, bet on, gage, game, punt, stake - place a bet on
- play - make bets
- raise - bet more than the previous player
- see - match or meet
same as: bet, wager

verb group: play - make bets
Shoot or hit in a particular manner (synset 201083084)
"She played a good backhand last night"

is a type of: hit - cause to move by striking

subtypes: hook - secure with the foot

verb group: encounter, meet, play, take on - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Use or move (synset 201082457)
"I had to play my queen"

is a type of: apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

subtypes: 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
verb group:
- encounter, meet, play, take on - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- play - put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Employ in a game or in a specific position (synset 201082266)
"They played him on first base"

is a type of: apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
verb group:
- encounter, meet, play, take on - contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- play - put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle (synset 201081873)
"Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"

entail: compete, contend, vie - compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
subtypes:
- confront, face - oppose, as in hostility or a competition
- replay - repeat a game against the same opponent
same as: encounter, meet, take on
verb group:
- play - participate in games or sport
- play - employ in a game or in a specific position
- play - use or move
- play - shoot or hit in a particular manner
Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line (synset 200075628)
"play a hooked fish"

is a type of: beat, exhaust, tucker, tucker out, wash up - wear out completely

play

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