play
toy
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
act
act as
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
swordplay
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
play a hooked fish
gambling
gaming
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
child's 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
turn
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
it is my turn
it is still my play
frolic
romp
gambol
caper
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
maneuver
manoeuvre
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
he made a great maneuver
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
a preset plan of action in team sports
the coach drew up the plays for her team
dally
trifle
consider not very seriously
He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
bid
an attempt to get something
they made a futile play for power
he made a bid to gain attention
utilization or exercise
the play of the imagination
participate in games or sport
We played hockey all afternoon
play cards
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
meet
encounter
take on
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Charlie likes to play Mary
employ in a game or in a specific position
They played him on first base
use or move
I had to play my queen
shoot or hit in a particular manner
She played a good backhand last night
bet or wager (money)
He played $20 on the new horse
She plays the races
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
bet
wager
stake on the outcome of an issue
I bet $100 on that new horse
She played all her money on the dark horse
make bets
Play the races
play the casinos in Trouville
use to one's advantage
She plays on her clients' emotions
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
play water from a hose
The fountains played all day
fiddle
diddle
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
bring
work
wreak
make for
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
perform on a certain location
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
She has been playing on Broadway for years
be performed or presented for public viewing
What's playing in the local movie theater?
‘Cats’ has been playing on Broadway for many years
run
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
emit recorded sound
The tape was playing for hours
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
represent
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
roleplay
playact
perform on a stage or theater
She acts in this play
He acted in ‘Julius Caesar’
I played in ‘A Christmas Carol’
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Let's play like I am mommy
Play cowboy and Indians
spiel
replay (as a melody)
Play it again, Sam
She played the third movement very beautifully
play on an instrument
The band played all night long
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
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
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
recreate
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
On weekends I play
The students all recreate alike
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
flirt
behave carelessly or indifferently
Play about with a young girl's affection
behave in a certain way
play safe
play it safe
play fair
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
looseness
movement or space for movement
there was too much play in the steering wheel
fun
sport
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
drama
dramatic play
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
a theatrical performance of a drama
the play lasted two hours
shimmer
a weak and tremulous light
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
the play of light on the water
free rein
the removal of constraints
he gave free rein to his impulses
they gave full play to the artist's talent
a state in which action is feasible
the ball was still in play
insiders said the company's stock was in play
playing period
period of play
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
rain stopped play in the 4th inning