Open English Wordnet
Nouns
(n)play, drama, dramatic playa dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage“he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway” (n)playa theatrical performance of a drama“the play lasted two hours” (n)playa preset plan of action in team sports“the coach drew up the plays for her team” (n)maneuver, manoeuvre, playa deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill“he made a great maneuver”,
“the runner was out on a play by the shortstop” (n)playa state in which action is feasible“the ball was still in play”,
“insiders said the company's stock was in play” (n)playutilization or exercise“the play of the imagination” (n)bid, playan attempt to get something“they made a futile play for power”,
“he made a bid to gain attention” (n)play, child's playactivity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules“Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child” (n)free rein, playthe removal of constraints“he gave free rein to his impulses”,
“they gave full play to the artist's talent” (n)shimmer, playa weak and tremulous light“the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers”,
“the play of light on the water” (n)fun, play, sportverbal 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” (n)looseness, playmovement or space for movement“there was too much play in the steering wheel” (n)play, frolic, romp, gambol, capergay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement“it was all done in play”,
“their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly” (n)turn, play(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession“it is my turn”,
“it is still my play” (n)gambling, gaming, playthe 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” (n)play, swordplaythe act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully Verbs
(v)playparticipate in games or sport“We played hockey all afternoon”,
“play cards”,
“Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches” (v)playact 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” (v)playplay on an instrument“The band played all night long” (v)act, play, representplay 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” (v)playbe 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” (v)play, spielreplay (as a melody)“Play it again, Sam”,
“She played the third movement very beautifully” (v)playperform music on (a musical instrument)“He plays the flute”,
“Can you play on this old recorder?” (v)act, play, act aspretend to have certain qualities or state of mind“He acted the idiot”,
“She plays deaf when the news are bad” (v)playmove or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly“The spotlights played on the politicians” (v)playbet or wager (money)“He played $20 on the new horse”,
“She plays the races” (v)play, recreate2engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion“On weekends I play”,
“The students all recreate alike” (v)playpretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity“Let's play like I am mommy”,
“Play cowboy and Indians” (v)playemit recorded sound“The tape was playing for hours”,
“the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered” (v)playperform on a certain location“The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16”,
“She has been playing on Broadway for years” (v)playput (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” (v)play, toyengage 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” (v)playbehave in a certain way“play safe”,
“play it safe”,
“play fair” (v)play, runcause 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” (v)toy, fiddle, diddle, playmanipulate 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” (v)playuse to one's advantage“She plays on her clients' emotions” (v)dally, trifle, playconsider not very seriously“He is trifling with her”,
“She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania” (v)playbe 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” (v)dally, toy, play, flirtbehave carelessly or indifferently“Play about with a young girl's affection” (v)playcause to move or operate freely within a bounded space“The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack” (v)act, play, roleplay, playactperform on a stage or theater“She acts in this play”,
“He acted in ‘Julius Caesar’”,
“I played in ‘A Christmas Carol’” (v)playbe performed or presented for public viewing“What's playing in the local movie theater?”,
“‘Cats’ has been playing on Broadway for many years” (v)bring, work, play, wreak, make forcause 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” (v)playdischarge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream“play water from a hose”,
“The fountains played all day” (v)playmake bets“Play the races”,
“play the casinos in Trouville” (v)bet, wager, playstake on the outcome of an issue“I bet $100 on that new horse”,
“She played all her money on the dark horse” (v)playshoot or hit in a particular manner“She played a good backhand last night” (v)playuse or move“I had to play my queen” (v)playemploy in a game or in a specific position“They played him on first base” (v)meet, encounter, play, take oncontend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle“Princeton plays Yale this weekend”,
“Charlie likes to play Mary” (v)playexhaust by allowing to pull on the line“play a hooked fish”