📒 to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work
- You'll have to play inside today.
- There's a time to work and a time to play.
- play with somebody/something A group of kids were playing with a ball in the street.
📒 to pretend to be or do something for fun
- play something Let's play pirates.
- play at something Let's play at pirates!
- play at doing something They were playing at being cowboys.
📒 to be involved in a game; to compete against somebody in a game
- play something to play football/cards
- play something with/against somebody I usually play chess with my brother.
- play somebody France are playing Wales tomorrow.
📒 to take a particular position in a sports team
- + adv./prep. Who's playing on the wing?
- + noun I've never played right back before.
📒 to include somebody in a sports team
- I think we should play Matt on the wing.
📒 to make contact with the ball and hit or kick it in the way mentioned
- She played the ball and ran forward.
- He played a backhand volley.
📒 to move a piece in chess, etc.
📒 to put a card face upwards on the table, showing its value
- to play your ace/a trump
- He played out of turn!
📒 to perform music on a musical instrument
- play (something) She played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20.
- The music is well played and beautifully recorded.
- In the distance a band was playing.
📒 to have the skill of performing on a musical instrument
- Do you play a musical instrument?
- to play the piano/violin/flute
- I'm learning to play sax.
📒 to use an MP3 player, a CD player, etc. to make it possible to hear a song, an album, a CD, etc.
- I played some music to drown out the noise.
- They're always playing that song on the radio.
📒 (of a song, an album, etc.) to be heard
- My favourite song was playing on the radio.
📒 to start working; to make a video or DVD start working
- These videos won't play on my computer.
- play something Click below to play videos.
- Nothing happens when I try to play a DVD.
📒 to act in a play, film, etc.; to act the role of somebody
- play something to play a role/part
- The part of Elizabeth was played by Cate Blanchett.
- He had always wanted to play Othello.
📒 to pretend to be something that you are not
- The children were dressed as soldiers, but they were just playing.
- + adj. I decided it was safer to play dead.
- + noun He walks around playing the outraged victim in all this.
📒 to behave as though you are a particular type of person
- This is no time to play the hero.
- Don't play the innocent with me: you know what happened.
📒 to be performed
- A production of ‘Carmen’ was playing to packed houses.
📒 to give a performance in a particular place
- The band are playing 11 cities around the country.
- I've played some fantastic venues.
📒 to have an effect or influence on something
- Social media played an important part in the last election.
- Farming plays a crucial role in maintaining the landscape.
- High environmental temperatures may also play a role.
📒 to trick somebody for fun
- Children ran around the village playing tricks.
- I played a trick on him just to see his reaction.
📒 to deal with a situation in the way mentioned
- He played the situation carefully for maximum advantage.
📒 to do something without being serious about it or putting much effort into it
- play at something He was just playing at it before—now he's serious.
- play at doing something They were playing at being villains, like in the movies.
- play something (with something) Officials are playing politics with farm programs.
📒 to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want
- He needs another loan, but the bank won't play.
📒 to move or appear quickly and lightly, often changing direction or shape
- Sunlight played on the surface of the lake.
- A small smile played on her lips.
📒 when a fountain plays, it produces a steady stream of water
- Two huge fountains were playing outside the entrance.
📒 to have plenty of money, time, etc. for doing something
📒 to masturbate
📒 used to ask in an angry way about what somebody is doing
- What do you think you are playing at?