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

Meaning : A theatrical performance of a drama.

Example : The play lasted two hours.

Meaning : A preset plan of action in team sports.

Example : The coach drew up the plays for her team.

Meaning : A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill.

Example : He made a great maneuver.
The runner was out on a play by the shortstop.

Synonyms : maneuver, manoeuvre

Meaning : A state in which action is feasible.

Example : The ball was still in play.
Insiders said the company's stock was in play.

Meaning : Utilization or exercise.

Example : The play of the imagination.

Meaning : An attempt to get something.

Example : They made a futile play for power.
He made a bid to gain attention.

Synonyms : bid

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.

Synonyms : child's play

Meaning : (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds.

Example : Rain stopped play in the 4th inning.

Synonyms : period of play, playing period

Meaning : The removal of constraints.

Example : He gave free rein to his impulses.
They gave full play to the artist's talent.

Synonyms : free rein

Meaning : A weak and tremulous light.

Example : The shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers.
The play of light on the water.

Synonyms : shimmer

Meaning : Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously).

Example : He became a figure of fun.
He said it in sport.

Synonyms : fun, sport

Meaning : Movement or space for movement.

Example : There was too much play in the steering wheel.

Synonyms : looseness

Meaning : Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement.

Example : It was all done in play.
Their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly.

Synonyms : caper, frolic, gambol, romp

Meaning : (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession.

Example : It is my turn.
It is still my play.

Synonyms : turn

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 : His gambling cost him a fortune.
There was heavy play at the blackjack table.

Synonyms : gambling, gaming

Meaning : The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully.

Synonyms : swordplay

Meaning : Participate in games or sport.

Example : We played hockey all afternoon.
Play cards.
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches.

Meaning : Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.

Example : This factor played only a minor part in his decision.
This development played into her hands.
I played no role in your dismissal.

Meaning : Play on an instrument.

Example : The band played all night long.

Meaning : Play a role or part.

Example : 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.

Synonyms : act, represent

Meaning : Be at play. Be engaged in playful activity. Amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children.

Example : The kids were playing outside all day.
I used to play with trucks as a little girl.

Meaning : Replay (as a melody).

Example : Play it again, Sam.
She played the third movement very beautifully.

Synonyms : spiel

Meaning : Perform music on (a musical instrument).

Example : He plays the flute.
Can you play on this old recorder?.

Meaning : Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.

Example : He acted the idiot.
She plays deaf when the news are bad.

Synonyms : act, act as

Meaning : Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly.

Example : The spotlights played on the politicians.

Meaning : Bet or wager (money).

Example : He played $20 on the new horse.
She plays the races.

Meaning : Engage in recreational activities rather than work. Occupy oneself in a diversion.

Example : On weekends I play.
The students all recreate alike.

Synonyms : recreate

Meaning : Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity.

Example : Let's play like I am mommy.
Play cowboy and Indians.

Meaning : Emit recorded sound.

Example : The tape was playing for hours.
The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered.

Meaning : Perform on a certain location.

Example : The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16.
She has been playing on Broadway for years.

Meaning : Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game.

Example : He is playing his cards close to his chest.
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory.

Meaning : Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously.

Example : They played games on their opponents.
Play the stock market.
Play with her feelings.
Toy with an idea.

Synonyms : toy

Meaning : Behave in a certain way.

Example : Play safe.
Play it safe.
Play fair.

Meaning : Cause to emit recorded audio or video.

Example : They ran the tapes over and over again.
I'll play you my favorite record.
He never tires of playing that video.

Synonyms : run

Meaning : Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination.

Example : She played nervously with her wedding ring.
Don't fiddle with the screws.
He played with the idea of running for the Senate.

Synonyms : diddle, fiddle, toy

Meaning : Use to one's advantage.

Example : She plays on her clients' emotions.

Meaning : Consider not very seriously.

Example : He is trifling with her.
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania.

Synonyms : dally, trifle

Meaning : Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way.

Example : This speech didn't play well with the American public.
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee.

Meaning : Behave carelessly or indifferently.

Example : Play about with a young girl's affection.

Synonyms : dally, flirt, toy

Meaning : Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space.

Example : The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack.

Meaning : Perform on a stage or theater.

Example : She acts in this play.
He acted in `Julius Caesar'.
I played in `A Christmas Carol'.

Synonyms : act, playact, roleplay

Meaning : Be performed or presented for public viewing.

Example : What's playing in the local movie theater?.
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years.

Meaning : Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence.

Example : I cannot work a miracle.
Wreak havoc.
Bring comments.
Play a joke.
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area.

Synonyms : bring, make for, work, wreak

Meaning : Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream.

Example : Play water from a hose.
The fountains played all day.

Meaning : Make bets.

Example : Play the races.
Play the casinos in Trouville.

Meaning : Stake on the outcome of an issue.

Example : I bet $100 on that new horse.
She played all her money on the dark horse.

Synonyms : bet, wager

Meaning : Shoot or hit in a particular manner.

Example : She played a good backhand last night.

Meaning : Use or move.

Example : I had to play my queen.

Meaning : Employ in a game or in a specific position.

Example : They played him on first base.

Meaning : Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle.

Example : Princeton plays Yale this weekend.
Charlie likes to play Mary.

Synonyms : encounter, meet, take on

Meaning : Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line.

Example : Play a hooked fish.