Langtolang Multilingual Dictionary

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

• “he made a great maneuver”
• “the runner was out on a play by the shortstop”

a state in which action is feasible

• “the ball was still in play”
• “insiders said the company's stock was in play”

utilization or exercise

• “the play of the imagination”

an attempt to get something

• “they made a futile play for power”
• “he made a bid to gain attention”

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”

the removal of constraints

• “he gave free rein to his impulses”
• “they gave full play to the artist's talent”

a weak and tremulous light

• “the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers”
• “the play of light on the water”

verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

• “he became a figure of fun”
• “he said it in sport”

movement or space for movement

• “there was too much play in the steering wheel”

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

• “it was all done in play”
• “their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly”

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

• “it is my turn”
• “it is still my play”

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

• “his gambling cost him a fortune”
• “there was heavy play at the blackjack table”

the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

play a role or part

• “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”

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”

replay (as a melody)

• “Play it again, Sam”
• “She played the third movement very beautifully”

perform music on (a musical instrument)

• “He plays the flute”
• “Can you play on this old recorder?”

pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

• “He acted the idiot”
• “She plays deaf when the news are bad”

move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

• “The spotlights played on the politicians”

bet or wager (money)

• “He played $20 on the new horse”
• “She plays the races”

engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

• “On weekends I play”
• “The students all recreate alike”

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”

engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

• “They played games on their opponents”
• “play the stock market”
• “play with her feelings”
• “toy with an idea”

behave in a certain way

• “play safe”
• “play it safe”
• “play fair”

cause to emit recorded audio or video

• “They ran the tapes over and over again”
• “I'll play you my favorite record”
• “He never tires of playing that video”

manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

• “She played nervously with her wedding ring”
• “Don't fiddle with the screws”
• “He played with the idea of running for the Senate”

use to one's advantage; emotions"

• “She plays on her clients'”

consider not very seriously

• “He is trifling with her”
• “She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania”

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”

behave carelessly or indifferently

• “Play about with a young girl's affection”

cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

• “The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack”

perform on a stage or theater

• “She acts in this play”
• “He acted in `Julius Caesar'”
• “I played in `A Christmas Carol'”

be performed or presented for public viewing; has been playing on Broadway for many years"

• “What's playing in the local movie theater?”
• “`Cats'”

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

• “I cannot work a miracle”
• “wreak havoc”
• “bring comments”
• “play a joke”
• “The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area”

discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

• “play water from a hose”
• “The fountains played all day”

make bets

• “Play the races”
• “play the casinos in Trouville”

stake on the outcome of an issue

• “I bet $100 on that new horse”
• “She played all her money on the dark horse”

shoot or hit in a particular manner

• “She played a good backhand last night”

use or move

• “I had to play my queen”

employ in a game or in a specific position

• “They played him on first base”

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

• “Princeton plays Yale this weekend”
• “Charlie likes to play Mary”

exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

• “play a hooked fish”