play
♦♦♦ play /pl'eɪ/ (plays playing played)
1 [VERB] V, V with n
When children, animals, or perhaps adults play, they spend time doing enjoyable things, such as using toys and taking part in games.
They played in the little garden...
Polly was playing with her teddy bear.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
...a few hours of play until the baby-sitter takes them off to bed.
2 [V-RECIP] pl-n V n, V n with n, V n (non-recip), V for n (non-recip), V (non-recip)
When you play a sport, game, or match, you take part in it.
While the twins played cards, Francis sat reading...
Alain was playing cards with his friends...
I used to play basketball...
I want to play for my country...
He captained the team but he didn't actually play.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
Both sides adopted the Continental style of play.
3 [VERB] V n, V against n
When one person or team plays another or plays against them, they compete against them in a sport or game.
Northern Ireland will play Latvia...
I've played against him a few times.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
Fischer won after 5 hours and 41 minutes of play.
4 [VERB] V n, V n adv
When you play the ball or play a shot in a game or sport, you kick or hit the ball.
Think first before playing the ball...
I played the ball back slightly.
5 [VERB] V n on n, V n
If you play a joke or a trick on someone, you deceive them or give them a surprise in a way that you think is funny, but that often causes problems for them or annoys them.
Someone had played a trick on her, stretched a piece of string at the top of those steps...
I thought: `This cannot be happening, somebody must be playing a joke'.
6 [VERB] V with n
If you play with an object or with your hair, you keep moving it or touching it with your fingers, perhaps because you are bored or nervous.
She stared at the floor, idly playing with the strap of her handbag.
7 [N-COUNT]
A play is a piece of writing which is performed in a theatre, on the radio, or on television.
The company put on a play about the homeless...
It's my favourite Shakespeare play.
8 [VERB] V n, V n
If an actor plays a role or character in a play or film, he or she performs the part of that character.
...Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in which he played Hyde...
His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
9 [V-LINK] V n, V adj
You can use play to describe how someone behaves, when they are deliberately behaving in a certain way or like a certain type of person. For example, to play the innocent, means to pretend to be innocent, and to play deaf means to pretend not to hear something.
Hill tried to play the peacemaker...
So you want to play nervous today?
= act
10 [VERB] V it adj/adv
You can describe how someone deals with a situation by saying that they play it in a certain way. For example, if someone plays it cool, they keep calm and do not show much emotion, and if someone plays it straight, they behave in an honest and direct way.
Investors are playing it cautious, and they're playing it smart.
11 [VERB] V n, V for n, V n n, V
If you play a musical instrument or play a tune on a musical instrument, or if a musical instrument plays, music is produced from it.
Nina had been playing the piano...
He played for me...
Place your baby in her seat and play her a lullaby...
The guitars played.
12 [VERB] V n, V, also V n n
If you play a record, a CD, or a tape, you put it into a machine and sound is produced. If a record, CD, or tape is playing, sound is being produced from it.
She played her records too loudly...
There is classical music playing in the background.
13 [VERB] V, V n
If a musician or group of musicians plays or plays a concert, they perform music for people to listen or dance to.
A band was playing...
He will play concerts in Amsterdam and Paris.
14 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you ask what someone is playing at, you are angry because you think they are doing something stupid or wrong. (INFORMAL)
What the hell are you playing at?
15 [PHRASE] V inflects
When something comes into play or is brought into play, it begins to be used or to have an effect.
The real existence of a military option will come into play...
16 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu PHR in n
If something or someone plays a part or plays a role in a situation, they are involved in it and have an effect on it.
The UN would play a major role in monitoring a ceasefire.
...the role played by diet in disease.
17
to play ball: see ball
to play your cards right: see card
to play it by ear: see ear
to play fair: see fair
to play second fiddle: see fiddle
to play the field: see field
to play with fire: see fire
to play the fool: see fool
to play to the gallery: see gallery
to play into someone's hands: see hand
to play hard to get: see hard
to play havoc: see havoc
to play host: see host
to play safe: see safe
to play for time: see time
to play truant: see truantfair play
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you refer to someone's attitude or behaviour as fair play, you approve of it because it shows respect and sympathy towards everyone, even towards people who are thought to be wrong or to deserve punishment.
...a legal system that is unmatched anywhere in the world for its justice and sense of fair play.foul play
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foul play is criminal violence or activity that results in a person's death.
The report says it suspects foul play was involved in the deaths of two journalists.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foul play is unfair or dishonest behaviour, especially during a sports game.
Players were warned twice for foul play.match play
[N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Match play is a form of golf where the game is scored by the number of holes someone wins rather than the number of strokes it takes them to complete the course.na|tiv|ity play (nativity plays)
[N-COUNT]
A nativity play is a play about the birth of Jesus, usually one performed by children at Christmas time.play along
[PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P with n, V P
If you play along with a person, with what they say, or with their plans, you appear to agree with them and do what they want, even though you are not sure whether they are right.
My mother has learnt to play along with the bizarre conversations begun by father...
He led the way to the lift. Fox played along, following him.play around
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P with n
If you play around, you behave in a silly way to amuse yourself or other people. (INFORMAL)
Stop playing around and eat!...
Had he taken the keys and played around with her car?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n
If you play around with a problem or an arrangement of objects, you try different ways of organizing it in order to find the best solution or arrangement. (INFORMAL)
I can play around with the pictures to make them more eye-catching.play at
1 [PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P n/-ing
If you say that someone is playing at something, you disapprove of the fact that they are doing it casually and not very seriously.
We were still playing at war-dropping leaflets instead of bombs.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P n/-ing
If someone, especially a child, plays at being someone or doing something, they pretend to be that person or do that thing as a game.
Ed played at being a pirate.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you do not know what someone is playing at, you do not understand what they are doing or what they are trying to achieve. (INFORMAL)
She began to wonder what he was playing at...play back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, V n P
When you play back a tape or film, you listen to the sounds or watch the pictures after recording them.
He bought an answering machine that plays back his messages when he calls...
Ted might benefit from hearing his own voice recorded and played back...
I played the tape back.
see also playbackplay down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you play down something, you try to make people believe that it is not particularly important.
Western diplomats have played down the significance of the reports...
Both London and Dublin are playing the matter down.
≠ play upplay on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you play on someone's fears, weaknesses, or faults, you deliberately use them in order to persuade that person to do something, or to achieve what you want.
...an election campaign which plays on the population's fear of change...
= exploitplay on words (plays on words)
[N-COUNT] usu a N in sing
A play on words is the same as a pun.play out
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P, also V P n
If a dramatic event is played out, it gradually takes place.
Her union reforms were played out against a background of rising unemployment...
= unfoldplay park (play parks)
[N-COUNT]
A play park is a children's playground.play up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you play up something, you emphasize it and try to make people believe that it is important.
The media played up the prospects for a settlement...
His Japanese ancestry has been played up by some of his opponents.
≠ play down
2 [PHRASAL VERB] usu cont, no passive, V P, V n P
If something such as a machine or a part of your body is playing up or is playing you up, it is causing problems because it is not working properly. (BRIT INFORMAL)
The engine had been playing up...
It was his back playing him up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When children play up, they are naughty and difficult to control. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Patrick often plays up when he knows I'm in a hurry.pow|er play (power plays)
also power-play
1 [N-COUNT]
A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation.
Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box.role play (role plays role playing role played)
also role-play
1 [N-VAR]
Role play is the act of imitating the character and behaviour of someone who is different from yourself, for example as a training exercise.
Group members have to communicate with each other through role-play.
2 [VERB] V n, also V
If people role play, they do a role play.
Rehearse and role-play the interview with a friend beforehand.
● role playing [N-UNCOUNT]
We did a lot of role playing.
1 [VERB] V, V with n
When children, animals, or perhaps adults play, they spend time doing enjoyable things, such as using toys and taking part in games.
They played in the little garden...
Polly was playing with her teddy bear.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
...a few hours of play until the baby-sitter takes them off to bed.
2 [V-RECIP] pl-n V n, V n with n, V n (non-recip), V for n (non-recip), V (non-recip)
When you play a sport, game, or match, you take part in it.
While the twins played cards, Francis sat reading...
Alain was playing cards with his friends...
I used to play basketball...
I want to play for my country...
He captained the team but he didn't actually play.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
Both sides adopted the Continental style of play.
3 [VERB] V n, V against n
When one person or team plays another or plays against them, they compete against them in a sport or game.
Northern Ireland will play Latvia...
I've played against him a few times.
[N-UNCOUNT]
Play is also a noun.
Fischer won after 5 hours and 41 minutes of play.
4 [VERB] V n, V n adv
When you play the ball or play a shot in a game or sport, you kick or hit the ball.
Think first before playing the ball...
I played the ball back slightly.
5 [VERB] V n on n, V n
If you play a joke or a trick on someone, you deceive them or give them a surprise in a way that you think is funny, but that often causes problems for them or annoys them.
Someone had played a trick on her, stretched a piece of string at the top of those steps...
I thought: `This cannot be happening, somebody must be playing a joke'.
6 [VERB] V with n
If you play with an object or with your hair, you keep moving it or touching it with your fingers, perhaps because you are bored or nervous.
She stared at the floor, idly playing with the strap of her handbag.
7 [N-COUNT]
A play is a piece of writing which is performed in a theatre, on the radio, or on television.
The company put on a play about the homeless...
It's my favourite Shakespeare play.
8 [VERB] V n, V n
If an actor plays a role or character in a play or film, he or she performs the part of that character.
...Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in which he played Hyde...
His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
9 [V-LINK] V n, V adj
You can use play to describe how someone behaves, when they are deliberately behaving in a certain way or like a certain type of person. For example, to play the innocent, means to pretend to be innocent, and to play deaf means to pretend not to hear something.
Hill tried to play the peacemaker...
So you want to play nervous today?
= act
10 [VERB] V it adj/adv
You can describe how someone deals with a situation by saying that they play it in a certain way. For example, if someone plays it cool, they keep calm and do not show much emotion, and if someone plays it straight, they behave in an honest and direct way.
Investors are playing it cautious, and they're playing it smart.
11 [VERB] V n, V for n, V n n, V
If you play a musical instrument or play a tune on a musical instrument, or if a musical instrument plays, music is produced from it.
Nina had been playing the piano...
He played for me...
Place your baby in her seat and play her a lullaby...
The guitars played.
12 [VERB] V n, V, also V n n
If you play a record, a CD, or a tape, you put it into a machine and sound is produced. If a record, CD, or tape is playing, sound is being produced from it.
She played her records too loudly...
There is classical music playing in the background.
13 [VERB] V, V n
If a musician or group of musicians plays or plays a concert, they perform music for people to listen or dance to.
A band was playing...
He will play concerts in Amsterdam and Paris.
14 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you ask what someone is playing at, you are angry because you think they are doing something stupid or wrong. (INFORMAL)
What the hell are you playing at?
15 [PHRASE] V inflects
When something comes into play or is brought into play, it begins to be used or to have an effect.
The real existence of a military option will come into play...
16 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu PHR in n
If something or someone plays a part or plays a role in a situation, they are involved in it and have an effect on it.
The UN would play a major role in monitoring a ceasefire.
...the role played by diet in disease.
17
to play ball: see ball
to play your cards right: see card
to play it by ear: see ear
to play fair: see fair
to play second fiddle: see fiddle
to play the field: see field
to play with fire: see fire
to play the fool: see fool
to play to the gallery: see gallery
to play into someone's hands: see hand
to play hard to get: see hard
to play havoc: see havoc
to play host: see host
to play safe: see safe
to play for time: see time
to play truant: see truantfair play
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you refer to someone's attitude or behaviour as fair play, you approve of it because it shows respect and sympathy towards everyone, even towards people who are thought to be wrong or to deserve punishment.
...a legal system that is unmatched anywhere in the world for its justice and sense of fair play.foul play
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foul play is criminal violence or activity that results in a person's death.
The report says it suspects foul play was involved in the deaths of two journalists.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foul play is unfair or dishonest behaviour, especially during a sports game.
Players were warned twice for foul play.match play
[N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Match play is a form of golf where the game is scored by the number of holes someone wins rather than the number of strokes it takes them to complete the course.na|tiv|ity play (nativity plays)
[N-COUNT]
A nativity play is a play about the birth of Jesus, usually one performed by children at Christmas time.play along
[PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P with n, V P
If you play along with a person, with what they say, or with their plans, you appear to agree with them and do what they want, even though you are not sure whether they are right.
My mother has learnt to play along with the bizarre conversations begun by father...
He led the way to the lift. Fox played along, following him.play around
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P with n
If you play around, you behave in a silly way to amuse yourself or other people. (INFORMAL)
Stop playing around and eat!...
Had he taken the keys and played around with her car?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n
If you play around with a problem or an arrangement of objects, you try different ways of organizing it in order to find the best solution or arrangement. (INFORMAL)
I can play around with the pictures to make them more eye-catching.play at
1 [PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P n/-ing
If you say that someone is playing at something, you disapprove of the fact that they are doing it casually and not very seriously.
We were still playing at war-dropping leaflets instead of bombs.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P n/-ing
If someone, especially a child, plays at being someone or doing something, they pretend to be that person or do that thing as a game.
Ed played at being a pirate.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you do not know what someone is playing at, you do not understand what they are doing or what they are trying to achieve. (INFORMAL)
She began to wonder what he was playing at...play back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, V n P
When you play back a tape or film, you listen to the sounds or watch the pictures after recording them.
He bought an answering machine that plays back his messages when he calls...
Ted might benefit from hearing his own voice recorded and played back...
I played the tape back.
see also playbackplay down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you play down something, you try to make people believe that it is not particularly important.
Western diplomats have played down the significance of the reports...
Both London and Dublin are playing the matter down.
≠ play upplay on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you play on someone's fears, weaknesses, or faults, you deliberately use them in order to persuade that person to do something, or to achieve what you want.
...an election campaign which plays on the population's fear of change...
= exploitplay on words (plays on words)
[N-COUNT] usu a N in sing
A play on words is the same as a pun.play out
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P, also V P n
If a dramatic event is played out, it gradually takes place.
Her union reforms were played out against a background of rising unemployment...
= unfoldplay park (play parks)
[N-COUNT]
A play park is a children's playground.play up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you play up something, you emphasize it and try to make people believe that it is important.
The media played up the prospects for a settlement...
His Japanese ancestry has been played up by some of his opponents.
≠ play down
2 [PHRASAL VERB] usu cont, no passive, V P, V n P
If something such as a machine or a part of your body is playing up or is playing you up, it is causing problems because it is not working properly. (BRIT INFORMAL)
The engine had been playing up...
It was his back playing him up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When children play up, they are naughty and difficult to control. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Patrick often plays up when he knows I'm in a hurry.pow|er play (power plays)
also power-play
1 [N-COUNT]
A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation.
Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box.role play (role plays role playing role played)
also role-play
1 [N-VAR]
Role play is the act of imitating the character and behaviour of someone who is different from yourself, for example as a training exercise.
Group members have to communicate with each other through role-play.
2 [VERB] V n, also V
If people role play, they do a role play.
Rehearse and role-play the interview with a friend beforehand.
● role playing [N-UNCOUNT]
We did a lot of role playing.