a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
a state in which action is feasible
"the ball was still in play"
"insiders said the company's stock was in play"
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
"rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
"The children spent their afternoon playing tag in the backyard while their parents watched from the porch."
In plain English: Play is an activity done just for fun without any serious goal or work involved.
"The children spent their afternoon playing in the park."
Usage: Use "play" to refer to games or recreational activities done primarily for enjoyment, such as children playing in the park. It describes the act itself rather than a specific toy or piece of equipment.
participate in games or sport
"We played hockey all afternoon"
"play cards"
"Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
"This factor played only a minor part in his decision"
"This development played into her hands"
"I played no role in your dismissal"
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
"The kids were playing outside all day"
"I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
perform music on (a musical instrument)
"He plays the flute"
"Can you play on this old recorder?"
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
"The spotlights played on the politicians"
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
"Let's play like I am mommy"
"Play cowboy and Indians"
emit recorded sound
"The tape was playing for hours"
"the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
perform on a certain location
"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"
"She has been playing on Broadway for years"
put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
"He is playing his cards close to his chest"
"The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
"This speech didn't play well with the American public"
"His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
be performed or presented for public viewing
"What's playing in the local movie theater?"
"`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
"play water from a hose"
"The fountains played all day"
To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
"After hours of work, the team decided to play catch before heading home to enjoy some well-deserved rest."
In plain English: To play is to do something fun for enjoyment, like running around outside or taking turns with friends.
"The children like to play outside in the park after school."
Usage: Use "play" when someone engages in an activity specifically for fun or recreation, such as children playing tag or adults playing video games. Avoid using it for serious work tasks or formal performances unless the context clearly indicates a leisurely or recreational intent.
The word "play" comes from Old English words meaning to play or exercise, which themselves likely originated in Proto-West Germanic terms related to caring about something or engaging in movement. Its journey into modern English traces back through Middle English forms that retained these original senses of activity and recreation.